Are you ready for a historic five-day hike along the Grebbe Line?

The Grebbe Line is an indispensable part of the Netherland’s military history. This historic defensive line, built in 1629, stretched from the Rhine near Rhenen to the Zuiderzee near Spakenburg. It was originally intended to protect the west of the Netherlands from invasions from the east. The idea behind the line was that the land could be flooded, making it impossible for enemy troops to penetrate.

During World War II, the Grebbe Line again played an important role in defending the Netherlands. In May 1940, the Germans tried to break through the line, but even after days of fighting, Dutch soldiers managed to hold them back. Eventually, the line was abandoned and the Dutch troops were forced to retreat.

Today, the Grebbe Line is an important nature reserve. You’ll discover many historic remnants along the waterline.

In five days, you hike from Ochten all the way north to Bunschoten-Spakenburg. Along the way, you come across many old bunkers and the remains of the trench. You can even visit a fully reconstructed replica of a trench from 1939. Wander through this piece of living history and immerse yourself in the stories of the Grebbe Line.

Highlights not to be missed include the Grebbeberg, where you can stop by a military memorial and the Grebbe Line visitor centre, which has an exhibition on the history of the Grebbe Line. The exhibition includes a short film, an interactive landscape map, a timeline and photos.

You’ll find plenty of accommodation along the route. Be sure to book in advance, especially at the smaller B&Bs. It’s also a good idea to travel to the starting point by public transport or to be dropped off by car. Otherwise you have to travel back to pick up the car.

This Collection is divided into five day hikes between 20 and 25 kilometres (12 and 15 mi) long. If you’d prefer to choose the length yourself, you can split the complete Tour as you like.

Have fun and good luck completing this great hike!