Trekbird Path LAW 9

About this trail

The LAW 9 Trekvogelpad is a linear long-distance trail of around 105 kilometres crossing the provinces of Utrecht, Noord-Holland, and Gelderland from end to end. Named after migratory birds, the route connects open polder landscapes, broad river floodplains, and the sandy forested ridge of the Utrechtse Heuvelrug, offering a cross-section of genuinely varied Dutch countryside. Walkers move through wide skies, windmills, grazing meadows, and the quiet spectacle of seasonal bird migration. The terrain is predominantly flat, with a meaningful exception on the Utrechtse Heuvelrug where the path climbs gently through wooded sandy hills. Spring and autumn are the prime seasons; exposed polder sections can be gruelling in summer heat, while riverside paths turn muddy and slippery through winter. The route follows the LAW waymarking system with white-red markers, though urban passages demand careful navigation. Overnight accommodation in the form of B&Bs and small hostels is available in villages along the way, but not at consistent intervals — plan your stages in advance. Surface water is plentiful but not potable; carry enough between resupply points.