There is something about a long walk along the North Sea that does the work of three weekends off — the salt air, the wide horizon, the soft sand underfoot. Both Ocean House locations sit on the edge of protected coastal dune reserves, so you can step out of the door and be on a quiet path within minutes. Here are the best coastal walks in Holland from each hotel, with routes for an hour, an afternoon, or a whole day.
Scheveningen: the Westduinpark loop (1–2 hours)
Walk south from the Keizerstraat into the Westduinpark — a protected coastal dune reserve that starts twenty minutes' walk from Ocean House Scheveningen. The paths are flat and well-signposted, the dunes climb high enough for a proper view, and you'll see rabbits, sea buckthorn, and the occasional Highland cow.
Loop back via the beach at Kijkduin and walk north along the waterline to the apartment. Total: about ninety minutes at a relaxed pace, two hours if you stop for coffee on the way back.
Zandvoort: into Zuid-Kennemerland (2–4 hours)
Cross the road behind Ocean House Zandvoort and you're inside the Nationaal Park Zuid-Kennemerland — one of the largest protected dune reserves in the Netherlands. Marked routes run from one kilometre (easy) to twelve (a serious morning), through dune valleys, beech woods, and grasslands where European bison have been reintroduced.
An hour in, an hour out is the sweet spot. Bring water, a small snack, and a treat for the dog. Most of the park is off-leash for dogs.
Scheveningen to Kijkduin via the beach (a half day)
For a longer walk, head north on the boulevard from Scheveningen, past the pier and the harbour, then onto the beach and walk south all the way to Kijkduin — roughly eight kilometres along flat, hard-packed sand. The lighthouse marks the halfway point.
Return by bus or call a taxi, or — if you're feeling it — walk back through the Westduinpark for a loop of about sixteen kilometres. A picnic in the dunes around the midpoint makes the day.
Zandvoort to Bloemendaal via the dunes (3 hours)
Walk north from Zandvoort through the dunes towards Bloemendaal aan Zee. The route is mostly off-road, mostly quiet, and ends at a long row of beach pavilions where you can have lunch and either walk back or grab the bus.
On a clear day, the views back along the coast are the kind that explain why people keep coming back to this stretch of the Netherlands.
How to walk the Dutch coast well
Go early or go at golden hour — midday in summer can be busy on the popular routes. Layers, not heavy coats; the wind off the sea is colder than the air temperature. Walking shoes are fine, hiking boots are unnecessary, sand will get in either way.
Don't plan a destination. Turn around when it feels right. The walk back is always shorter than the walk out.
Where to stay for the best coastal walks
Ocean House Scheveningen puts you on the edge of the Westduinpark, four minutes from the beach, with the boulevard north and the dunes south. Ocean House Zandvoort puts you on the edge of Zuid-Kennemerland, ten minutes from the beach, with one of the largest dune reserves in the country starting on your doorstep.
Both hotels welcome dogs at no extra cost, both have washing-up facilities for sandy paws and shoes, both will lend you a thermos for the route. Walking the coast starts with where you sleep.
