Utrechtse Heuvelrug National Park: Curated Collection of Regional Discovery Guides

A glacial ridge nature reserve protecting the Netherlands' second-largest forest area

Utrechtse Heuvelrug National Park

Utrechtse Heuvelrug National Park occupies a unique position in Dutch conservation as the protector of the Utrecht Hill Ridge, a geological formation that rises from the surrounding flat landscape of the western Netherlands. The park's establishment in 2003 marked a significant step in preserving the natural and cultural values of this region, which had faced increasing pressure from urban development and habitat fragmentation. The 2013 expansion, which added 4,000 hectares north of the A12 highway through the construction of the Mollebos ecoduct, transformed the park into a truly connected landscape spanning from the Gelderse Vallei to the Rhine floodplains. The park sits within a broader regional vision called 'Heel de Heuvelrug' (Whole Utrecht Ridge), which aims to eventually protect the entire ridge from Gooimeer to the Grebbeberg. Unlike many Dutch national parks, Utrechtse Heuvelrug lacks formal planological status, relying instead on collaborative management among landowners, conservation organizations, and government bodies to achieve protection goals. This cooperative approach has enabled the removal of fencing, the creation of wildlife corridors, and the restoration of natural processes across a landscape shaped by centuries of human use including forestry, agriculture, and country estate development.