The best cycling and hiking routes with children

During the school holidays, there are plenty of activities on Texel for young and old. But in our opinion, the best way to enjoy the island together is to take a lovely bike ride or hike. That way you can enjoy the surroundings at your own pace, with room for a pit stop to play, eat or rest. We give 7 tips for routes that are extra fun with the whole family.

1. The Secret Cycle Route

The Secretsroute takes you along hidden places, surprising discoveries in the landscape, unobtrusive viewpoints, mysterious creatures in the night and amazing posts in the dunes. With small children, you can choose to cycle part of the route. For example, the part through De Dennen where you climb the Fonteinsnol, or along the Bossie and the duck decoy (the latter is accessible on Saturdays). In both cases, you can start and finish in Den Burg.

Starting point: VVV Texel, Emmalaan 66, Den Burg
Length: 36 kilometres

2. Lamb cycle route

In spring, thousands of lambs hop around on Texel's sheep farms and in the meadow. The popular Lambs route takes you along the places where you can see the most lambs. You can also choose to cycle part of the route, for example over the Hoge Berg and past Schapenboerderij Texel.

Starting point: VVV Texel, Emmalaan 66, Den Burg
Length: 35 kilometres

3. Choosing nodes together

Of course, you can also create your own cycling route. This is easy with the cycle junction map. This is available in our shop. Choose together where you want to start and choose fun and end points or different points you want to pass for a stopover. A few tips: a pit stop at De Catharinahoeve for playground and pancakes, cycling over the new cycle bridge, or a route to Novalishoeve for an ice cream in summer. Note down the numbers of the nodes in the right order and you can be on your way; just follow the numbers. Cycling thus automatically looks a bit like a fun scavenger hunt!

4. Hiking route Children's route climbing and playing

The woods around Fonteinsnol are a great place to walk and play. The children's route climbing and playing starts at the watchtower. You can first climb the tower for a beautiful view over the trees, all the way to the sea. Afterwards, the children can let off steam in the play forest and take a break (after a slight deviation from the route) at the Turfveld, which also has playground equipment.

Starting point: Lookout tower Fonteinsnol
Length: approx. 2.7 km
Pram: suitable, if you don't mind a few bumps
Dogs: allowed, on a leash on playgrounds and where there are cattle

5. Walking route Along large grazers

This walking route starts at Den Hoorn and takes you past beautiful nature. This area is home to several large herbivores, such as Black Angus cattle and horses. Are you coming in August? Then you can enjoy the beautifully blooming heathland here. Also a great background for (family) photos

Starting point: parking area on the right along Hoornderslag
Length: approx. 6.8 km, can be shortened to 3 km
Pram and wheelchair: suitable
Dogs: allowed on a lead

6. Trim trail in De Dennen

Not a real walking route, but a fun, sporty walk! In the Dennen (starting point Turfveld) you will find a wonderful trim trail with many different apparatuses and exercises. These are also great fun for children to perform. Make it a competition or do the exercises together. The total course is about 1.8 kilometres.

7. The Sommeltjespad

Sommeltjes are earthlings. They turn to stone when it gets light and come to life again in the dark. Can you discover them in the forest? The Sommeltjespad is a children's walking route in the forest near Ecomare. Along the 1.5-kilometre trail, children can look for the mythical figures. But there is more: look around and discover much more than just Sommeltjes! You can recognise the route by posts with feet and eyes.

Starting point: Pelican Road or California Road
Length: approx. 1.5 km
Pram and wheelchair: suitable, if you don't mind a few bumps
Dogs: permitted on a lead