Longboarding in Zeeland: Boswachterij Westerschouwen

Zeeland has some of the best cycling roads in the Netherlands, and that makes Zeeland perfect for longboarding and skateboarding. Which is great, because there aren’t always waves.

I recently got myself a skateboard again to get my surf fix and work on my surf movements. I actually had one until last year (I bought it when I was 28), but sold it because I thought I was too old to ride a skateboard, considering I’m 43 and all.

Boy was I wrong! Such a ludicrous thought, that we’re “too old” to do something.

So this morning, I grabbed my board and headed to Boswachterij Westerschouwen in Schouwen-Duiveland to see what it was like for a little longboarding adventure.

Quick Summary: Longboarding in Boswachterij Westerschouwen

📍 Westerschouwen, Schouwen-Duiveland, Zeeland (Holland)
🛹 Best for: cruising & carving
🌲 Setting: forest + dunes
🚲 Shared area: cyclists, walkers and other recreational users
⚠️ Check the surface after rain and wear protective gear

Longboarding in Boswachterij Westerschouwen

I’d read online that Boswachterij Westerschouwen has some nice hills, which made me curious. Zeeland isn’t exactly famous for its mountains, so any kind of downhill is exciting when you’re on a longboard!

It had rained heavily during the night, so I was a little worried about the paths being slippery. I took it easy at first, but thankfully my board and shoes felt fine.

There are several cycling and walking routes through the forest, and the area is used by cyclists, walkers, mountain bikers and horse riders. The official MTB route is much more technical, with steep climbs and descents, so that’s not the route I’d recommend for a longboard session.

I made my way towards the Klimbos (climbing forest), where I found the paved cycling paths I was looking for.

Then I found my first hill.

Cruising, carving and getting my surf fix

It was actually a little steeper than I expected.

Since I don’t own a helmet yet, I decided not to be a hero. I started halfway down instead.

So much fun still!

At the moment, I’m mostly cruising and carving rather than doing anything fancy. That’s what I love about it. 

When you carve on a skateboard, you’re constantly shifting your weight and working with your hips, knees and upper body. Those movements are also a big part of surfing.

(Don’t forget to stretch and relax your nervous system after a skateboarding session, it helps you recover faster. Learn how to quickly relax the nervous system in this article.)

And, obviously, I recorded myself. Because if you’re going to go longboarding alone in a forest at 8 AM, you might as well come home with some content for the blog.

But it was sooo magical, just being by myself rolling through the trees on my skateboard with the sun coming up and the birds singing so loudly… I had a blast.

Is longboarding in Westerschouwen safe for women?

Overall, I felt safe longboarding in Boswachterij Westerschouwen. It’s a popular recreational area with plenty of people around, especially during the day. 

You’ll see cyclists, walkers, runners and families using the paths, so you’re definitely not in the middle of nowhere. That said, it’s still a large forest, and there are quieter sections where you might find yourself riding alone for a while.

While I was riding, a man on a bicycle came past. He wasn’t wearing shoes and had a big bunch of empty plastic bottles in his bag, and I got the impression that he might have been staying somewhere in the forest. He smiled at me, and I don’t think there was anything dangerous about the situation. Still, it made me a little more aware of my surroundings.

I think that’s generally the thing with being a woman alone outdoors: you don’t need to feel unsafe, but it’s smart to stay aware. I prefer going during daylight, keeping my phone with me and paying attention to who is around me, especially when I’m riding somewhere quiet.

Plus, there’s my wrist protection. I realized that they’re not only useful to help protect my wrists, but I can also use them to break someone’s nose if necessary. Handy. 😂

More longboarding in Zeeland: join me!

I’m keen to explore more of Zeeland on my longboard, so this won’t be my last adventure report.

There are so many places I’d like to check out and I love having something else to do when the waves are flat.

Wanna come along?

I run a small social surf + skate group for women in Zeeland. We go surfing together, hang out, have brunch, and I’d love to organise some skate meet-ups as well.

It’s free to join. So if you’re a woman in Zeeland and fancy joining us, send me an email at hello@wildheartsurf.com.

Practical information

Is Boswachterij Westerschouwen suitable for longboarding?

Yes, if you’re looking for a place to cruise and practise carving on paved paths. Boswachterij Westerschouwen has several cycling paths, including paved sections through the forest and dunes, with some nice hills along the way. 

I wouldn’t recommend the MTB route for longboarding; it’s unpaved and includes technical sections and steep descents. Stick to the paved cycling paths, take it easy around other cyclists and walkers, and check the surface after rain or strong winds, when sand can blow onto the paths.

Where can you park for longboarding in Boswachterij Westerschouwen?

I parked at De Rotonde car park on Duinpad 1, which is a convenient starting point for exploring Boswachterij Westerschouwen. From there, I took my skateboard towards Klimbos Westerschouwen and then followed the paved cycling paths through the forest.

Klimbos Westerschouwen itself is located at Kraaijensteinweg 140, but the climbing park recommends visitors use the De Rotonde car park at Duinpad 1. From the parking area, you can easily make your way towards the forest and the paved cycling paths.

Is parking at Boswachterij Westerschouwen free?

Not always. If you park at De Rotonde car park (Duinpad 1), parking is paid from March through October, but the paid parking hours start at 10 AM. So if you arrive early for a morning longboarding session, you can park for free before 10 AM.

From November through February, parking is free.

For me, arriving early was perfect: there were fewer people around, the forest was beautifully quiet, and I could get a good longboarding session in before the car park got busy.