Groene Hart

The Groene Hart (literally "Green Heart") is a scenic agricultural zone between the four biggest cities of the country. The flat polders and canals, considered typical for the country, can be explored by hiking or cycling.

Most of the area lies beneath sea level, and is protected by numerous dikes and windmills. The area is very flat and offers great cycling opportunities. At the tourist offices in the towns of the Groene Hart, you will be able to find some brochures or leaflets detailing scenic routes.

Destinations
The Groene Hart is a relatively sparsely populated area, its landscape considered archetypically Dutch. Nevertheless, there are some larger and smaller towns worth visiting, the largest being Alphen aan de Rijn and Gouda. The surrounding area is rich in lakes, which lend themselves perfectly to water sports and other forms of recreation.

Get in
Most train routes are operated by NS Railways. Generally the more convenient option.

There are several highways running through the area, the most important one is the A12 which runs from The Hague to Utrecht.

Get around
In most cases, the Intercity and Sprinter trains are typically much more convenient than the local bus. A majority of local bus routes are operated by Arriva. Some of the routes in the south are operated by Qbuzz.

Sleep
There are countless B&Bs in the area, many of them in the countryside.

Stay safe
The Groene Hart is a very safe area. Be aware that some roads are not wide enough for two cars to pass each other. If you are on a small road and there is a car approaching from a distance, make sure to stop at a wider spot until the other car has passed.

Go next
The Groene Hart is surrounded by the largest Dutch cities:


 * Amsterdam
 * Leiden
 * Rotterdam
 * The Hague
 * Utrecht