Maarn - Cothen | East to East Path
The 13-kilometre stage runs between the NS railway station in Maarn and Cothen. Most of the route runs through nature reserves and partly through the Cape Woods, which lie between Maarn and Cothen. The route can be walked in two directions. The stage is part of the East to East trail, which is 377 km long and runs from Twente to Oost-Voorne across the Utrechtse Heuvelrug .
The stage is also interesting if you are on holiday at one of the many holiday resorts and campsites in the area.
Maarn was originally built as a garden village...
The 13-kilometre stage runs between the NS railway station in Maarn and Cothen. Most of the route runs through nature reserves and partly through the Cape Woods, which lie between Maarn and Cothen. The route can be walked in two directions. The stage is part of the East to East trail, which is 377 km long and runs from Twente to Oost-Voorne across the Utrechtse Heuvelrug .
The stage is also interesting if you are on holiday at one of the many holiday resorts and campsites in the area.
Maarn was originally built as a garden village. Maarn was built in 1921 for workers who worked on the sand excavation for the Dutch Railways. You will see small houses with a large garden area; this was deliberately built that way because the workers at the time could then grow their own food. Coming out of the station, you will see some houses of the original 'garden village' on the north side (left), but it is actually a whole neighbourhood. Feel free to take a look and walk through the streets, it's really special to see how these houses were built and situated.
The Cape Forest is actually attractive to walk in all seasons. In summer, it provides a lovely cool spot when it is hot. In autumn, it colours the leaves. In winter, especially when it snows, the forest is beautiful, but even if it does not snow and you are there early in the morning, there is beautiful light as the sun shines through the mist between the trees. In spring, it is the young fresh green leaves that attract. A lot of wildlife lives in the forest, including deer, squirrels, mice, martens, snakes (vipers), small amphibians and various birds.
Just off the route, but with a small diversions of 100 metres you can also walk past Huis te Maarn (you already walk on the estate for part of the route). The house itself looks a bit like the small version of the White House in Washington, it has a recognisable hall-round colonnade, and a beautiful driveway.
You will pass the observation tower 'De Kaap' during this stage, among other things. The tower is 25 metres high and stands on a hill, giving you a magnificent view over the Utrechtse Heuvelrug, definitely worth going up. In clear weather, you can even see Rotterdam and the Flevopolder.
By the way, the name 'Kaapse bossen' originated when the estate was bought by Hendrik Swellengrebbel in 1750, after returning from South Africa. The forests reminded him of the forests near Table Mountain in Cape Town.
Between the Kaapse bossen and Cothen is a large stretch of agricultural land with nature reserves. The route occasionally runs along the road, but regularly takes to the nature trail. You then walk on smaller paths alongside fields enveloped by trees and shrubs. Sometimes it looks like you are just walking in forest. You also walk for a bit on the estate of Sandenburg Castle, with its distinctive white tower. This castle was mentioned as early as 1391; you walk right past it.
Cothen is a picturesque small farming village and is located on the 'Kromme Rijn'. The Kromme Rijn used to be an important shipping route for goods transport. Rhijnestein castle is located next to the village. The castle (or precursor to it) was mentioned in a charter as early as 1248. It was probably built together with other castles as part of a defence system.
Should you walk the stage around the end of spring, be sure to check out the various cherry orchards near Cothen. You can buy delicious fresh homegrown cherries. The stage passes a cherry orchard right next to the village.
You are going to see this
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Kaapse Bossen & Uitkijktoren de Kaap
Kaapse Bossen & Uitkijktoren de Kaap
Châlet Helenaheuvel
St. Helenaheuvellaan 2
3941 EH Thorn