Laarzenpadroute Naardermeer door moerasbos en hooiland

Short 5.5 km walk near Naarden and Bussum: over boardwalks through soggy swamp forest and past picturesque hay meadows by the Naardermeer.

Nature to put your boots on for

The Boot Path Route Bussum (yellow) is a compact 5.5-kilometer walk on the edge of the Naardermeer — the oldest protected nature reserve in the Netherlands. The route takes you through an unexpectedly wild piece of nature, within walking distance of Naarden-Bussum station. Here you can see what low moorland looks like from the inside: wet, lush, and full of life. As the name suggests, sturdy shoes or boots are not a luxury, but a must.

From boardwalks to open hay meadows

You start the route in Bussum and soon plunge into the soggy swamp forest. You walk along wooden boardwalks through a world that barely pays any attention to the hustle and bustle of nearby 't Gooi. The sound of wood clinks beneath your feet; above you, alders and willows partially block out the light. You hear reed warblers and blackbirds, and if you are lucky, a heron rustles low over the water.

After the swamp forest, the landscape opens up. You walk past small hay meadows that are full of flowering herbs in summer — yellow rattle, marsh trefoil, and common sorrel colour the verges. During the breeding season (April–June), pay close attention: meadow birds are vulnerable here. The southern part of the route follows a paved road, providing a peaceful contrast to the unpaved paths through the wet forest. Here, you have a beautiful view over the surrounding polder landscape.

The route is short but varied: marshland, open grassland, and polder tranquility, all within 5.5 kilometers. An ideal walk for a morning or afternoon, also for those who do not want to walk all day.

Highlights along the way

1. Boardwalks through swamp forest — Walking on wooden planks through a soggy alder and willow forest: a unique experience you won't find anywhere else in the region.
2. Hay meadows with herb-rich vegetation — In the summer, special grassland plants bloom here that you rarely see in regular pastures.
3. The Naardermeer in the distance — The route runs along the edge of this Natura2000-protected low-lying peat area, with its characteristic reed beds and open water.

Why there is a boot path here

Boot paths have been specially constructed to give walkers access to wet, fragile nature reserves that are inaccessible via ordinary paths. The Naardermeer and its surroundings have been protected for over a hundred years — it was not without reason that this was the reason for the founding of Natuurmonumenten in 1905. The boardwalks make it possible to experience this special low-lying peat landscape up close, without disturbing nature. A smart solution for a delicate area.

Tips and practical information

1. Dogs: Dogs are not allowed in and around the Naardermeer due to the high ecological value.
2. Accessibility by public transport: Naarden-Bussum station is within walking distance of the starting point. You can leave your car at home and head straight home after the walk.
3. Marking: The route is marked with yellow arrows (boot path, yellow).
4. Footwear: Wear waterproof shoes or boots — the boardwalks and surrounding paths can be wet and slippery, even outside the winter months.
5. Season: The route can be walked all year round, but is especially special in spring (flowering hay meadows, birdsong) and autumn (autumn colours in the swamp forest).
6. Accessibility: Not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers due to the boardwalks and unpaved sections.
7. Please note: The southern section follows a paved road. The boardwalks can be slippery in frosty conditions.