Bornia, Nature reserve in Utrechtse Heuvelrug, Netherlands.
Bornia is a nature reserve covering around 289 hectares of forest land between Zeist, Austerlitz, and Driebergen-Rijsenburg. The area contains marked hiking trails that wind through mixed vegetation including pine forests and moorland.
The area gained protected status as a nature reserve in 1982, becoming part of a larger 642-hectare conservation zone that also includes Heidestein and Noordhout. This designation reflected growing efforts to preserve natural landscapes across the region.
A flock of Drenth Heath sheep grazes across the grasslands, keeping the vegetation open through their daily presence. This traditional practice shapes how the landscape looks and feels today.
The reserve is open year-round with multiple entry points from the surrounding towns. The trails are clearly marked, making navigation straightforward whether you are visiting for the first time or returning.
The area is managed by Utrecht Landscape and represents their largest continuous protected space. This management approach focuses on balancing forest preservation with public access through carefully maintained trails.
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