You have arrived at the final stage of the North Holland Trail. Or the first, if you are walking the route from south to north. In both cases, it is a milestone: you have almost made it, or you are at the beginning, ready to discover something new. The walk from 's-Graveland to Huizen is special in any case. Here, there are no Dutch polders, but shady forests and rolling heathlands in the middle of 't Gooi. With the Tafelberg as the literal summit.
Spanderswoud
At café-restaurant Brambergen – the name is a reminder of another country estate – you can enjoy a coffee or tea before starting the 15 km stage. You will walk through the Spanderswoud. Since 1981, the Goois Natuurreservaat has been working hard to restore the area to its original state as a natural forest. The Spanderswoud is a very varied forest with old beech avenues. These beeches provide shelter for various species of bats. In autumn, it is a special place due to the many species of mushrooms found here.
Longest nature bridge
A little further on lies the longest wildlife bridge or ecoduct in the world, the Zanderij Crailoo Nature Bridge, 800 meters long. A spectacular nature connection between the Spanderswoud and the Bussumerheide, which can be used by animals as well as walkers and cyclists. It ensures that 't Gooi is connected to the Utrechtse Heuvelrug for both animals and plants.
Heathlands
What follows are three interesting heathlands: the Bussummerheide, Blaricummerheide, and Tafelbergheide. The clay pits with their distinctive vegetation provide variety in the landscape, and in some places, you may encounter flocks of sheep or Scottish Highland cattle. The latter also contains the highest point of 't Gooi. At 36.4 m, the Tafelberg is naturally not truly high, but it is a prominent landmark amidst the trees and shrubs. Walk to the top, and you will have a beautiful panoramic view over the heath.
Sheepfold Blaricummerheide
If you leave the route briefly here, you will reach the Blaricumerheide Sheepfold. A flock of Drenthe heath sheep is housed here, ensuring the preservation of the heath. You can visit the sheepfold on Sunday afternoons. Next to it is café-restaurant De Eendracht (formerly De Tafelberg). Here, you can enjoy a drink or a delicious lunch featuring regional products on the terrace. There isn't much in the way of hospitality along this route, so if you want to make use of that, this is one to remember.
Cultural-historical lime kilns in Huizen
Continue walking to the harbour and lime kilns of Huizen, formerly a fishing village with one of the largest fishing fleets around the Zuiderzee. Subsequently, the lime kilns played an important economic role. They were demolished in 1989, but the old stones were used to restore the cultural heritage at the marina. Here, you feel as though you are in a Zuiderzee village from a bygone era. You can enjoy good food and drinks at the Nautisch Kwartier, the end or starting point of the Noord-Hollandpad. Enjoy a well-deserved reward here!