Five trekking routes that you can easily reach from the Netherlands.

Flying to the Netherlands may be the smartest gateway for those who dream of exploring Central Europe without chaining short flights. Thanks to its rail connectivity and international train network, Amsterdam has become an ideal starting point for adventurers looking to get around in a sustainable way, combining culture, nature and mountain routes.

A flight to Amsterdam with Air France puts you at the logistical heart of Europe. From Schiphol airport, high-speed and night trains allow you to reach radically different landscapes in just a few hours: the forests of the German Eifel, the valleys of the Belgian Ardennes, the ridges of the French Vosges or even the alpine valleys of the Tyrol. All this without hiring a car, without unnecessary waiting and with a lower carbon footprint than chaining regional flights.

Amsterdam, the gateway to the green heart of Europe

Few places have as many international overland connections as the Netherlands. From Amsterdam Central Station, Thalys, ICE or NightJet trains reach Belgium, Germany, France, Switzerland and Austria on direct or one-way routes.

For the Spanish traveller looking for an active trip, this network is a double advantage: it allows to reach the mountains without depending on the car and opens the possibility to combine city and nature in the same itinerary.

From Amsterdam you can be in Brussels in two hours, Cologne in less than three, Paris in just over three and Innsbruck or Zurich by night train (between 8 and 11 hours, depending on the destination). A whole map of adventures connected by rail.

Eifel (Germany): a national park born of regeneration

About three and a half hours by train from Amsterdam lies the Eifel National Park in North Rhine-Westphalia. Created in 2004, its motto "Let nature take its course" sums up the philosophy of reforestation and conservation that guides its 110 km² of forests, lakes and volcanic hills.

The best-known trails are the Wildnis Trail (85 km, four stages) and sections of the Eifelsteig, a long-distance route linking Aachen and Trier. Both are well signposted and have rural accommodation along the way.

The Eifel has no imposing peaks - its altitudes rarely exceed 700m - but it does have a surprising natural richness: beech forests, otters, eagles and a silence that feels like a luxury in the centre of Europe. In summer, the old reservoirs become mirrors reflecting the forests, and villages such as Monschau retain an intact medieval charm.

To get there, just take an ICE train to Cologne and connect with a regional train to Heimbach or Gemünd, the gateways to the park. There you can rent bikes, sleep in small family-run lodges and link day trips without any logistical complications.

Ardennes (Belgium): hills, castles and accessible routes

A three-hour drive from Amsterdam, the Ardennes offer a green and intimate landscape, perfect for low to medium-difficulty hiking trails.

This massif occupies a large part of southern Belgium and extends into Luxembourg and northeastern France. It is a land of river valleys - Semois, Ourthe, Lesse - thick forests and stone villages such as La Roche-en-Ardenne or Bouillon, where history mingles with the murmur of the river.

Among the most recommended routes is the GR57, which follows the course of the Ourthe River between Liège and Bastogne. Its sections are ideal for two- or three-day getaways, linking viewpoints, castles and camping areas.

The Ardennes is also a good destination for travelling with family or friends: the slopes are gentle (altitudes between 200 and 600 m), the distances are reasonable and the local gastronomy - beers, cheeses, cakes - is part of the experience.

From Amsterdam it is easy to reach Brussels by train and from there to Namur or Liège, where the main accesses to the region begin. Regional trains connect to base towns, and many routes start directly from the stations.

Vosges (France): scenic trails and Alsatian culture

Crossing towards the east of France is the Vosges, a mountain range that separates Alsace from Lorraine. It is a mid-mountain area (altitudes between 600 and 1,400 m), covered with forests, lakes and high altitude pastures, crossed by trails marked since the end of the 19th century by the Vosgien Club.

Here, hikers can enjoy scenic routes with no steep gradient, staying in farm lodges where local products are served: blueberry pies, cured meats or mountain cheeses.

From the Alsatian town of Colmar, well connected to Paris and Germany, you can easily reach the Lac Blanc, the Hohneck massif or the Munster valley. Each valley offers signposted routes and huts open during the summer season.

To get there from Amsterdam, the Thalys train takes you to Paris in about three and a half hours, and from there the TGV to Colmar or Mulhouse takes another two and a half. In a single day, you can switch from the Dutch canals to the French footpaths effortlessly.

The Vosges is a perfect destination for those who value the cultural experience as much as the sporting one, and seek routes without crowds or extreme altitudes.

Tyrol (Austria): Alpine dream on board the night train

The Austrian Tyrol is synonymous with peaks, huts and legendary hikes. You can get there directly from Amsterdam on the NightJet, the night train operated by ÖBB that connects the Dutch capital with Innsbruck in about 11 hours.

Waking up in the mountains after a silent and efficient journey is almost a metaphor for what slow travel is all about. Without passing through intermediate airports, at dawn you are already surrounded by peaks.

From Innsbruck there are dozens of routes, but one stands out above all: the Adlerweg (Eagle Trail), which crosses Tyrol from east to west in 33 stages. Each section is well documented on tyrol.com, with huts and public transport to get in and out whenever you want.

In summer, the Wilder Kaiser and Zillertal valleys offer alpine scenery without the overcrowding of the Swiss Alps. In autumn, the forests are tinged with ochre tones and the meadows remain calm after the summer.

The Austrian infrastructure is impeccable: precise signage, well-maintained huts and transport that connects the valleys with pinpoint accuracy. It is the ideal destination if you are looking for a professionally supported high mountain adventure accessible by train.

Jura (Switzerland and France): quiet hiking and endless horizons

The Jura massif forms the natural border between France and Switzerland, stretching from Geneva to Basel. Its wooded hills and plateaux form the backdrop to the GR5, the great route across Europe from the North Sea to the Mediterranean.

The Jura section, some 300 km long, is one of the quieter ones: trails winding through pastures, forests and small farming villages. From some ridges, on clear days, you can see Mont Blanc in the background.

The Chemin des Crêtes du Jura (Jura Ridge Trail) links Nyon to Basel, following the Swiss border. The stages are suitable for hikers of average experience, with moderate gradients (between 400 and 1,700 m) and a good network of refuges.

From Amsterdam you can easily reach Geneva or Lausanne via Paris by TGV train (about 6-7 h). From there there are regional trains to Nyon, Vallorbe or La Cure, villages with direct access to the massif.

The Jura is perfect if you are looking for solitude, slow pace and deep contact with nature. There are no high altitudes or crowds, just green horizons and the sound of the wind through the fir trees.

Final tips for planning your active travel

The whole idea of travelling to the Netherlands is not that Amsterdam is a mountain destination, but that it saves you from multiplying flights. You make an initial jump - a single international leg - and from there explore neighbouring countries overland.

• Ideal season: May to October for most Central European routes.
• Luggage: light backpack (30-40 L), versatile technical clothing, mackintosh and comfortable shoes.
• Tickets: book international trains with Rail Europe, Deutsche Bahn, SNCF or ÖBB.
• Refuges: In Tyrol and Vosges it is advisable to book in advance in high season; in Eifel and Jura a few days in advance is sufficient.
• Connection: Air France offers on-board wifi, ideal for planning your next trips while you fly.
  

In terms of sustainability, this approach makes sense: every flight avoided reduces your footprint and allows you to move more consciously. In terms of experience, moreover, it turns travel into a continuous journey: each train is a window to new landscapes, to different accents, to the feeling that Europe is interconnected by roads, not just airports.