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 5,5 million visitors, mostly from Amsterdamand 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', planting of the woods of the Amsterdamse Bos began in 1934, a task which provided work for 20.000 unemployed people during the years of crisis. 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 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 the 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, December 31st and January 1st.

 
A party at the visitorscentre

Accessibility

GVB and Connexxion stop on the Amstelveenseweg, the Amsterdamseweg and Bosrandweg. Further information please phone 0900-9292.

Map Amsterdamse Bos

Free download

Camp site

Camping Amsterdamse Bos is on the south edge of the forest, on the 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.

Nature

The woods, grassy plains, water and bogs are the natural habitat 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 sturdy 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 for beautiful fotographs of the Amsterdamse Bos.

 
Oeverlanden Nieuwe Meer

Activities

There is an extensive network of footpaths, cycle paths and bridle paths in the Amsterdamse Bos. There are six marked routes for walkers (itineraries in Dutch). There is also a 14 km marked cycleroute. 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 by green topped poles. Futhermore there are three marked running routes (5, 10, 21 kilometres), as well as a training circuit of 2,4 kilometres. The fiels are available for people to sunbathe, play football or do other sports.

Rowing on the Bosbaan

Sport

The Bosbaan is the domain of rowers, competive canoeists and fishermen. Amateur fishing is also allowed in summer in the part of the Bos to the south of the A9. Membership of the of the Amsterdam Angling Association (AHV) is needed 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 winter 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. But is also recommended to adults. 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. You can have a coffee or a small lunch on the terrace. Open: Every day except Tuesday from 10.00-17.00. From 1 November - 1 March, closed on Monday.
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 the 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 house 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

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: Bosbaanweg 5, 1182 AG, Amstelveen
Exhibitions: Visitors centre, tel.020-5456100.