Geocaching in the Garden of Amsterdam

Come geocaching in Gooi & Vecht!

An adventurous treas-

ure-hunting game in the ‘garden of Amsterdam’

COME GEOCACHING IN GOOI & VECHT! Get out and turn your hiking, biking or sailing route into a real journey of discovery. In the Gooi & Vecht region, there are more than 500 treasures hidden, and you can find them! Playfully discover the most unique places in the beautiful region.

What do you think of the numerous historical estates, castles and forts? Or come hunt for treasure in the wondrous beauty of nature with rugged woods, expansive meadows and tranquil lakes areas. Whether you are a starting treasure hunter or have already found many caches, there is always a special cache waiting for you in the Gooi & Vecht region.

WHAT IS GEOCACHING?

Geocaching is an adventurous treasure-hunting game for young and old that you can play alone, with the whole family or with friends. With a smartphone in your hand, you go hunting for a treasure in the form of a hidden mini-container.

The treasures, which are called caches, come in all shapes and degrees of difficulty and lie all over the world, in cities and in nature. It is not always easy, but that makes it extra fun when you have found the treasure. In order to play the game, you download a (free) Geocache app to your smartphone.

MOBILE GOOI & VECHT GEOCACHING WEBSITE

You can find more information on the mobile Geocache site for Gooi & Vecht. Scan the QR code with your smartphone, or go to qr.gooivecht.nl/qr/1092 All information about the Gooi & Vecht GeogamePark All GeoRoutes in a list.

Information and explanation about the GeoTour.

The best Geocaching apps.

Handy Geocaching tips.

Geocaching instructional videos.

HOW DOES IT WORK? The www.geocaching.com website is the starting point every time you go geocaching. You can select a cache, find the coordinates, search for a hint and share your stories. To prepare to begin your first hunt, we’ve put together a number of tips for you.

GEOCACHING IN EIGHT STEPS:

1. Make an account on www.geocaching.com 2. Install a geocaching app on your smartphone, for example, the ‘Geocaching Intro app’, or the ‘C:GEO’ app for Android phones.

3. Choose a cache from the online map.

4. Read the description of the cache and follow the instructions.

5. Navigate to the cache location.

6. Find the container.

7. Found! Sign the logbook and place the cache back in the hiding place.

8. Register your visit online and share your geocaching stories and photos.

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO HAVE TO GO GEOCACHING?

A smartphone with a geocaching app and a charged battery A pen and paper for making notes A pair of tweezers and a mirror can come in handy when searching.

Good hiking shoes and maybe rainwear.

Something to eat and drink during your search.

More information about Geocaching and optional apps? Go to the mobile Gooi & Vecht Geocache site.

LEARN GEOCACHING IN THE GOOI & VECHT GEOGAME PARK Are you going Geocaching for the first time? In the Geogame Park, you learn the tricks of this treasurehunting game quickly, simply and for free. In the protected park woods, with the old mansion in the background, you can hike and geocache to your heart’s content. In the visitors’ centre, there is a comprehensive guide available. With a GPS device or smartphone with a geocaching app, you go hunting in the Geogame Park in outdoor locations. You start with a cache that is simple to track down. Then, the tasks become more difficult. When you have found all three of the caches for beginners, you have the key to the final treasure in your hands. Open the treasure chest and get your reward! At the end of your journey, you will have mastered the basics of geocaching.

GEOCACHING WORKSHOPS

Natuurmonumenten regularly organises Geocaching workshops. Look for the next upcoming workshop on www.vvvgooivecht.nl or www.natuurmonumenten.nl GEOGAME PARK – GOOI AND VECHTSTREEK VISITORS’ CENTRE

Noordereinde 54 b 1243 JJ ’s-Graveland T +31 (0)35 - 656 30 80 When: The Geogame Park is open daily between sunrise and sunset.

Price: free

SIX BRAND-NEW GOOI & VECHT GEOROUTES Do you want to take a beautiful hiking, biking or sailing trip through the region, with an extra game experience? Then choose a special GeoRoute.

Special multi-cache routes have been made from the most beautiful routes through the region. At stopping points along the route, you have to gather information with which you are able to determine the coordinates of the final treasure.

Note! The GeoRoutes are intended for treasure hunters with some geocaching experience, so if needed, first go to the Geogame Park!

OUR GEOROUTES :

1. GeoRoute Loosdrecht Loop (21 km): A terrific day on the Loosdrecht Lakes and the Vecht river.

More info 2. GeoRoute Fortenland (51 km): Biking past the 7 forts that make up part of the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterline. More info 3. GeoRoute Loop Vecht and southern lakes (24 km): A biking route past the Loosdrecht and Maarssenveen lakes. More info 4. GeoRoute Gooi Loop (34 km): Get to know the Gooi: through nature and past the Laren and Blaricum villages. More info 5. GeoRoute Tafelbergheide and Blaricummerheide (7,5 km): A hike through the Gooi nature preserve across the meadow, through the woods and past the sheepfold. More info 6. GeoRoute Westerheide (8 km): Hiking across the largest meadow in the Gooi. More info

INTERNATIONAL GARDEN OF AMSTERDAM GEOTOUR 24 traditional geocaches are strung together into a multi-day journey of discovery, an official international GeoTour, the first in the Netherlands! This ‘Garden of Amsterdam GeoTour’ brings you to the most unique sight-seeing points in the Gooi & Vecht region: from impressive castles and old fortified cities to the most beautiful natural areas, and to real pearls like the Gooi villages and a number of old forts. The GeoTour is the ultimate geocaching game, in which you collect points on a special passport. For every treasure that you find, you receive one point.

When you have the required number of points, then you can win a ‘GeoCoin’. A real Geocacher’s prize (as long as the supply lasts). You get bonus points by eating or drinking at cafés and restaurants, sleeping in hotels and by visiting attractions that are participating in this GeoTour.

Look for more information and all the terms and conditions on www.geocaching.com/geotours

Win a unique Garden of Amsterdam GeoTour Geocoin:

Historical River Estates Follow the river and behold the lavish manors.

Pampus A10

1

IJmeer Amsterdam A6

2

Muiden

3

A1

Muiderberg

Gooimeer

ch

t

A9

N

Ve

O

O

R

D

6

4 Naarderbos

A27

5

7

Weesp

8

Naardermeer

Valkeveen

Naarden

11

Huizen

10

9

A9

Bikbergen Huizerhoogt 13

Nigtevecht

H

aal

8

O

L

A

ij n k a n

17

D

Laren

Eemnes

18 19

Kortenhoef

Vreeland

21 20

Wijde Blik

22

8

Loenen

N

15

’s-Graveland

Wijdemeren

Blaricum

Crailo

16

14

rd a m -R

Plassen

L

Horstermeer

A ms t e

Loenersloot

12

Bussum

Plassen Ankeveen

Nederhorst den Berg

Vinkeveense

Hilversumse Meent

Ankeveense

A1

Hilversum Loosdrechtse

A2

23

Oud-Loosdrecht NieuwLoosdrecht

24

Nieuwersluis Nieuwer Ter Aa

Plassen 25

Boomhoek

Stichtse

Vecht

Breukeleveen

The top sights to see in Gooi & Vecht

Breukelen

Tienhoven

Noordeinde Portengense Brug

1

8

Portengen

Kockengen

U

T

26

Maarssen

Molenpolder

Maarsseveense Plassen 27

8

Ve

ch

t

Utrecht

R

2

Pampus Island Fort Maartensdijk Muiderslot (Amsterdam Castle)

3

Muiden Fort

E

C

Unique sailing area

H

Historic river

TModern architecture

A27 4 Het Naarderbos Recreational Park

Museum / Visitor Center

5

Fort / Fortification

6

Oud Valkeveen Playground Bilthoven ‘Botters’ of Huizen and the Nautical Quarter

7

Weesp Fortress

Unique nature area

Castle / Estate

8 Historic estates along the River Vecht

Town with quaint town square

9 Lake ‘Naardermeer

Historic town center

10 Naarden Fortress

Garden / Park

11 Old village of Huizen

Outdoor recreation center

12 Fort Work IV

VVV Tourist Office

13 Table Mountain Heath

WANT MORE INFORMATION ON WHAT GOOI & VECHT HAS TO OFFER?

14 National Monuments Visitor Center

Find a complete overview of all activities and sights to see for a day trip or a weekend in Gooi & Vecht at www.vvvgooivecht.nl

16 Heathlands ‘Bussumerheide’ and ‘Westerheide’

15 Forest ‘Spanderswoud’ 17 Museum Singer Laren 18 Shopping at the town square of Laren 19 The Netherlands’ Institute for Sound and Vision 20 Historic estates of ‘s-Graveland 21 Botanical Garden Pinetum Blijdestein 22 Dudok Town Hall

Historical River Estates Follow the river and behold the lavish manors.

23 ‘Zonnestraal’ Estate 24 Loosdrecht Lakes 25 Castle Museum of Sypesteyn 26 Maarseveen Lakes 27 Slot Zuylen Castle

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3 km