Top 20 Lakes around Voorschoten
Best lakes around Voorschoten are found in the surrounding region, offering diverse natural landscapes and recreational opportunities. While Voorschoten itself is a smaller municipality, it is conveniently located near several significant water recreation areas. These include Vlietland, Meijendel Dune Lakes, Kaag Lakes, and Nieuwkoopse Plassen, which provide a range of features from expansive water bodies to marshy nature reserves. The area is characterized by its blend of polders, dunes, and forests, making it suitable for various outdoor activities.
Best lakes…
Last updated: August 24, 2026
Meijendel Dune Lakes
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Meijendel Dunes and Dune Lakes
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Bentwoud Nature Reserve
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Meijendel Nature Reserve
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Benthuizer Lake
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Tips from the Community
I'm enjoying browsing through your photos over coffee, but I really need to go for a walk here again soon. Especially now that summer is over and it's much quieter. It's a wonderful area, worth visiting more than once!
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The Berkheide and Meijendel dune areas are home to an enormous diversity of plant and animal species due to the varied vegetation, moisture content, and lime content. This includes rare plants and herbs, as many as 250 bird species, a huge variety of insects, and even the sand lizard and the natterjack toad.
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Beautiful park between Zoetermeer, Benthuizen and Waddinxveen. Plenty of benches, beautiful paths, more and more animals, pheasants, magpies, foxes, water birds etc. The intention is that an MTB route will also be created.
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The Benthuizerplas, like the other two lakes, has an important function as a water storage facility, but is also a nature development lake between Benthuizen and Zoetermeer. The lake is a special area when it comes to nature. The water is completely closed off from the other lakes and has its own natural water level management system. This means that rain and evaporation largely determine the height of the water level.
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Nice little lake, not for boats and not for swimming, skating is possible at minus 10
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The Bentwoud is a new nature and recreation area in the Randstad, between Zoetermeer and Boskoop. It may be a young forest, but the design of the nature reserve was completed in 2016, but it is already a large forest. In recent years, 2.5 million trees and shrubs have been planted and 80 kilometers of walking and cycling paths have been constructed. And yet you have the space: with over 800 hectares, the Bentwoud is the largest contiguous forest area in the Randstad. Although the Bentwoud is still developing, many special birds, butterflies and plants can already be found there. There is also a lot to experience for visitors. You can enjoy a lovely walk there, or go on an excursion with the ranger. Throughout the area you can get off the paths and stroll through the forest. https://www.staatsbosbeheer.nl/uit-in-de-natuur/locations/bentwoud https://bentwoud.info/?page_id=28 https://www.zoetermeerisdeplek.nl/ontspanning/in-de-natuur/bentwoud
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The Benthuizerplas, together with the Noordhovense Plas and the Zoetermeerse Plas, is part of the Noord Aa recreational area. The Zoetermeerse Plas is a dug lake for sand extraction. The other two have been excavated, are fairly shallow and serve as an overflow area for the Zoetermeerse Plas. The Benthuizerplas is a nature reserve and popular with waterfowl and bird lovers. More information can be found at Wikipedia and the Municipality of Zoetermeer, among others https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoetermerse_Plas
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This is a beautiful varied dune landscape with dunes and hidden dune lakes. Challenge yourself with tough climbs and enjoy the view over Meijendel!
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best lakes around Voorschoten for a variety of activities?
For a wide range of activities, Vlietland is highly recommended. It's a large recreation area with three lakes, offering swimming, sailing, kayaking, windsurfing, and fishing. On land, you can enjoy camping, climbing, walking, and cycling. The area also features a restaurant with lake views, making it ideal for families.
Which lakes near Voorschoten are known for their unique natural features?
The Meijendel Dune Lakes, located within the expansive Meijendel nature reserve, offer a unique landscape of damp dune valleys, open sand dunes, and dense pine forests. The lakes are crucial for drinking water supply and the area is rich in flora and fauna, including over 250 bird species. Another unique area is the Nieuwkoopse Plassen, characterized by its marshy nature and extensive reed beds, perfect for spotting rare animals like otters.
Are there family-friendly lakes around Voorschoten?
Yes, several lakes are great for families. Meijendel Dune Lakes and Bentwoud Nature Reserve are both marked as family-friendly in our highlights. Vlietland is also considered ideal for families, with clean swimming water, a climbing park, and a restaurant. Park De Paauw, with its scenic lake, offers a pleasant setting for family walks.
What kind of outdoor activities can I do near the lakes around Voorschoten?
The region offers a diverse range of outdoor activities. You can enjoy hiking, cycling, and mountain biking on numerous trails. For specific routes, check out our guides for hiking around Voorschoten, cycling around Voorschoten, and MTB trails around Voorschoten. On the water, Vlietland and the Kaag Lakes are excellent for sailing, kayaking, windsurfing, and swimming. Nieuwkoopse Plassen is perfect for exploring by electric boat or SUP.
Are there good hiking trails around the lakes near Voorschoten?
Absolutely! Many lakes offer excellent hiking opportunities. For example, the Meijendel Dune Lakes area has numerous designated trails for walking. You can also find trails around Vlietland, such as the 'View of the Lake and Reeds – Lake Vlietland loop from Voorschoten' (7.7 km, easy). For more options, explore our dedicated guide to hiking around Voorschoten.
Which lakes are best for watersports near Voorschoten?
The Kaag Lakes are a paradise for watersports, offering sailing, canoeing, rowing, waterskiing, and wakeboarding. Boat rentals are readily available, and the area is known for its watersports events. Vlietland also provides excellent facilities for sailing, kayaking, swimming, and windsurfing. Nieuwkoopse Plassen is ideal for quieter water activities like electric boating, SUP, and canoeing.
Can I go swimming in the lakes near Voorschoten?
Yes, you can. The water at Vlietland is known for being clean and suitable for swimming, partly due to an innovative bubbling system. At Nieuwkoopse Plassen, swimming is possible at Strand Zomer.
What cultural or historic sites are near the lakes?
Near the lakes, you can find several interesting sites. The Kaag Lakes are dotted with numerous windmills on small islets, creating a distinctive Dutch landscape. Park De Paauw, with its lake, is part of a former 16th-century manor that now serves as the town hall of Wassenaar. The historic center of Nieuwkoop is directly adjacent to the Nieuwkoopse Plassen, offering cultural context and panoramic views from the Reghthuystoren.
What do visitors enjoy most about the lakes around Voorschoten?
Visitors appreciate the diverse natural landscapes, from the expansive water bodies of Vlietland and Kaag Lakes to the unique dune ecosystems of Meijendel and the marshy tranquility of Nieuwkoopse Plassen. The abundance of outdoor activities, the peaceful atmosphere, and the opportunities for nature observation, especially bird watching, are frequently highlighted. The region's blend of recreation and natural beauty makes it a popular destination.
Are there any lakes suitable for winter activities?
During harsh winters, when the lakes freeze over, both the Kaag Lakes and Nieuwkoopse Plassen become popular spots for ice skating and ice sailing, offering a unique way to experience the landscape.
How accessible are the lakes near Voorschoten by public transport?
Vlietland is easily accessible, with Voorschoten train station just 2 km away. While specific public transport details for all lakes are not provided, areas like Meijendel are generally well-connected, and the region as a whole is part of the Randstad, making it relatively easy to reach by various means.
Where can I find cafes or restaurants near the lakes?
Vlietland features a restaurant with a view over the lake. The Kaag Lakes area has various waterside cafés where you can relax and enjoy the scenery. Additionally, the historic center of Nieuwkoop, adjacent to the Nieuwkoopse Plassen, offers dining options.
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