A Unique Winter Wonderland in Utrecht

In My Home Town Nieuwegein, Utrecht

January 2026

Walking Through the White Wonderland

Most winters in the Netherlands are wet and cold, rarely with white snow that sticks. So when we have those days, we like to enjoy the magic of the white world.

The "Lemonade" Walk

Because heavy snowfall for a few days often disrupts transportation in the Netherlands, I expected the buses wouldn’t be running on the day of my appointment in Leidsche Rijn. So, I got ready for a long walk in the snow. With my walking sticks, warm clothes, and a safety light, I left early in the dark. After walking for two hours on sometimes slippery roads, I arrived at my destination right on time.

After my appointment, I walked to the bus station and found the buses still weren’t running. So, I walked the same route back, but this time I took pictures of the wonderful winter wonderland. In hindsight, my walk was an excellent example of “when life throws you lemons, make lemonade.” It was a perfect morning, with a perfect walk and a perfect canvas for wonderful snowy pictures.

Shopping with My Saviors

The next day, feeling sure I could walk safely with my ‘Trail Buddies’ walking sticks, I went to the shopping mall to look for some bargains. The sticks really helped me keep a good pace, even on the slippery ground.

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Since I could get there on my own, I enjoyed the shopping experience even more, especially because the stores were quiet and not crowded.

Checking the Trails at Park Oudegein

On the last snowy day, I went to Park Oudegein to check both the walking and cycling paths. While the cycling paths were clear, the walking paths were still snowy and slippery. Still, it was good news! It meant that my fitness walking group could start up again after the winter break by using the clear cycling paths in the park.