English site
The Amsterdamse Bos spans almost 1000 hectars (about 2 by 5 kilometers). It is owned by the city of Amsterdam and situated within the local authorities of Amsterdam, Amstelveen and Aalsmeer. Yearly 7 million visitors, mostly from Amsterdam and surrounding areas visit the forest. It is still the very same city woodland the designers of the original Boschplan had in mind in the 1920’s. Under the motto 'Five years work for a thousand men and tree planting in the Amsterdamse Bos began in 1934, a task which provided work for 20.000 unemployed people during the crisis years. The last tree of this forestation project wasn't planted until 1967. With its 137 km of footpaths, 51 km of cycle paths and 50 bridges, the Amsterdamse Bos is one of the largest city parks of Europe. It contains 150 indigenous species of trees and over 200 species of birds.
Visitors Centre
At the main entrance to the Bos (Van Nijenrodeweg) you will find the Visitors Centre. In the centre information about the Amsterdamse Bos is available (mostly in Dutch). You can visit (temporary) exhibitions and staff at the information desk will be happy to answer any of your questions.
Admission is free. Opening Hours: Daily from 12.00 to 17.00. Closed on Christmas Day and January 1st.
A party at the visitors centre
Nature
The woods, grassy plains, water and bogs are natural habitats for rabbits, squirrels, frogs, woodpeckers and birds of prey. Polder Meerzicht is an important breeding site for grassland birds. The banks of the Nieuwe Meer and the Amstelveense Poel are reed-lands which show the Netherlands as it used to. Wild orchids and other rare plants grow there. On the banks of the Poel footpaths and lots of little bridges provide a special walk for visitors. In the botanical garden Vogeleiland the most important species of plants in the Bos can be found in a small area. Look at this site: www.amsterdamsebos.com for beautiful fotographs of the Amsterdamse Bos.
Oeverlanden Nieuwe Meer
Activities
There is an extensive network of foot-, cycle- and bridle paths in the Amsterdamse Bos. There are six marked routes for walkers (itineraries in Dutch, yellow signs). There is also a 14 km marked cycleroute (red signs). Bicyles can be hired at the main entrance (Van Nijenrodeweg) (tel: 020-6445473). Canoes and pedal boats can be hired at the Grote Vijver (tel:020-6457831). A canoe route is marked in the watercourses sign posted by green topped poles. Futhermore there are three marked running routes (5, 10, 21 kilometres orange signs), as well as a training circuit of 2,4 kilometres. The fields are available to people for sunbathing, playing football or other sports.
Rowing on the Bosbaan
Excursion Boat
From may through to september an excursion boat chugs through the waterways of the Amsterdamse Bos. The trip takes 1,5 hours and spans, just about, the entire forest’s waterways. Boarding at the Amsterdamse Manege (stables), Nieuwe Kalfjeslaan 25, 1182 AA Amstelveen. Maximum number of participants: 30.
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Group reservations
- Available on Fridays and Saturdays at set times: 12 noon, 2, 4 or 6 p.m. Different days and special requests possible. Please contact the visitors centre. Rates on demand.
- Individuals tickets available on Sundays. Boarding times 1 and 3 p.m. Costs: Adults (13 and upwards): €10. Children 4 - 12 years old: €5. Children 0- 3 years old: free. Tickets are available at the visitors centre up to one hour before boarding (because of the time needed to reach the Amsterdamse Manege). Refunds not possible. Reservation and information: For reservations and further information please contact the visitors centre at: bezoekerscentrum@dmo.amsterdam.nl or 020-5456100 (between 12 noon and 5 p.m.).
Directions
The Amsterdamse manege is signposted from the Nieuwe Kalfjeslaan entrance to the Amsterdamse Bos.
See map below:
Sport
The Bosbaan is the domain of rowers, competive canoeists and fishermen. In Summer amateur fishing is also allowed in the part of the Bos to the south of the A9. Membership to the Amsterdam Angling Association (AHV) is obligated in order to fish in the Amsterdamse Bos. Memberschip cards are available at the Visitors Centre. Near the Nieuwe Kalfjeslaan there are hockey and cricket pitches and tennis courts. International hockey competitions are held in het Wagner stadium. In harsh winters the Amstelveense Poel and the Bosbaan provide good skating opportunities.
Children
There are two paddling pools (“Groot Kinderbad and Klein Kinderbad”) for young children. These can be found near the large playing field (Grote Speelweide) and near the main entrance (Van Nijenrodeweg). There are modest playgrounds at both paddling pools.
At the goats farm "De Ridammerhoeve" children of all ages can feed the goats. This is a "biological" farm, consisting of a goats farm, cheese factory, petting zoo, chicken farm and a farm shop where you can buy goats cheese etc. Coffee & cake and small lunches are served on the terrace. Open: Daily, except Tuesday, from 10.00-17.00. From 1 November - 1 March, closed on Monday and Tuesday.
The pancake farm, "Boerderij Meerzicht", has deer, peacocks and other animals as well as a large play ground for children.
In summer islands in the Grote Vijver, a children’s adventure playground, can be reached by footbridges and a little pull ferry.
Deer at Pancakefarm Meerzicht
Special attractions
In july and august there are evening performances in the Openluchttheater (open air theatre). On the Zonneweide, slightly to the north of the A9, nude sunbathing is allowed.
In summer the Museumtram travels along the eastern side of the Bos, from the Haarlemmermeerstation to Bovenkerk. During the one and a half hour tramride, on the most beautiful tramline of the Netherlands, you will not only enjoy travelling through past ages, but also enjoy the wonderful nature. The tram runs along the entire Amsterdam Bos. Get on and travel back in time. Website: www.museumtram.nl.
Every saterday and sunday, from the 15th of april till the 15th of october, a ferry runs from the northern side of the Bos across the Nieuwe Meer. The ferry will take you close to the pancake farm Boerderij Meerzicht or to the beaches on the other side of the lake the Nieuwe Meer. Check out www.rederij-oeverloos.nl.
At the main entrance to the Bos (van Nijenrodeweg) you can find Fun Forest. A forest full of exciting adventures suitable for the young and old. Fun Forest has 8 different courses in living trees ranging in height and difficulty level. You'll be up for some exciting and surprising challenges. www.funforest.nl.
Camp site
Camping Amsterdamse Bos is on the south edge of the forest, on the Bosrandweg. It has good bus links to Amsterdam city centre. There are beautiful pitches for tents, caravans and campers.
Camping season: 1 January until 31 December.
- Address: Camping Het Amsterdamse Bos , Kleine Noorddijk 1
- 1187 NZ Amstelveen
- GPS Address: Bosrandweg, Amstelveen
- Tel: 0031 (0) 20-6416868
- Fax: 0031 (0) 20-6402378.
Further information
Also look at the site http://www.amsterdam.info/parks/amsterdamse-bos. Visitor address for management and forestry:
Nieuwe Meerlaan 3, 1182 DB Amstelveen
Recreation facilities, management and maintenance:
Amsterdamse Bos Management, tel. 020-5456150
Supervision and accidents: Amsterdamse Bos forestry, tel.020-5456140
Visitors centre and exhibitions: Bosbaanweg 5, 1182 AG, Amstelveen,
tel. 020-5456100
Accessibility
GVB and Connexxionbusses stop on the Amstelveenseweg, the Amsterdamseweg and Bosrandweg. Further information please phone 0900-9292 or go to www.9292-ov.nl