Stage 14, one of the longer stages of the North Holland Trail, is located in the heart of the Green Heart of the Netherlands. Do not set off too late, as you will need your time. The route not only passes straight through one of the busiest areas of the Netherlands—which you won't notice at all, by the way—but there is also plenty to see and discover along the way.
Nessersluis
You walk on to Nes a/d Amstel. A beautiful village just outside Amstelveen, where the Roman Catholic St. Urbanus Church dominates the village landscape. Here you can take the ferry across, but not before enjoying coffee or tea at the Summer Flower Picking Garden on the Amsteldijk. On the other side of the Nessersluis (the crossing costs one euro) awaits Fort Waver, which is part of the Defence Line of Amsterdam.
Vinkeveen Lakes
Via the small river Waver and the Botshol nature reserve, you continue walking along a grassy dike. Just when you think you’ve seen enough grass, you are treated to the Vinkeveense Plassen, a beautiful part of the Netherlands and the highlight of this route. You walk along a path that goes straight through the water. Afterwards, you have a view of the many idyllic islands with holiday homes. It is only because you occasionally catch a glimpse of the Johan Cruyff Arena that you realize you are actually in the middle of the Randstad.
Abcoude
From here on, it will be a tough slog, as 24 km is not a piece of cake for everyone. Fortunately, you can first catch your breath on the terrace of café-restaurant Bon at the marina's lock. The final part of the stage is not the most scenic. You walk along a paved road, but it is the only way to reach the endpoint, Abcoude, a charming village with nice terraces and restaurants.
