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Off-Leash Dog Areas in Wassenaar: The Complete 2026 Guide

Where can your dog really run free in Wassenaar, when do leash rules apply, and which estate is off-limits? Explained area by area, checked against the municipality's official dog policy.

7 min readLast updated 6 July 2026LuckyPaw
Dog off-leash in the dunes near Wassenaar
In this guide
The rulesDog beach (posts 91–92)Landgoed De PaauwLandgoed BackershagenBerkheide (dunes)Smaller fieldsOff-limits: De HorstenFAQ

The rules in Wassenaar, in short

Wassenaar has twelve officially designated off-leash areas. The basic rule is simple: inside the built-up area your dog must be leashed, unless you're in a designated off-leash zone. Outside those, each area has its own rules, usually seasonal: during nesting season (1 March to 1 August) dogs must be leashed in many places. Three rules that apply everywhere:

  1. 1Always leash on cycle paths — even inside an off-leash area. Loose dogs are a danger to cyclists and strictly forbidden there.
  2. 2Maximum 4 off-leash dogs per person.
  3. 3Picking up after your dog is mandatory and you must always carry a waste bag. The municipality has placed waste bins with bags in many spots.

The best off-leash areas in Wassenaar

Off-leash year-round
Dogs off-leash on the dog beach at Wassenaarse Slag

Wassenaar Dog Beach (between posts 91 and 92) — off-leash year-round

The dog beach is Wassenaar's best spot: your dog can run and swim off-leash all year round. Reach it via the beach access between posts HP 91.50 and HP 92.75; from there up to the Katwijk border, dogs are allowed off-leash.

WhereBeach access between posts HP 91.50–92.75, via the De Kuil / Wassenaarseslag car park
When off-leashYear-round on the designated stretch. On the rest of the beach, in summer (15 May–15 September) dogs are only allowed before 09:00 and after 19:00
ParkingPaid, at De Kuil or the end of Wassenaarseslag
NoteIt's a steep climb through soft sand from the car park to the beach — tough for a puppy or older dog
LuckyPaw tipBring enough water; there's a rinse pump at the car park to clean your dog afterwards
Off-leash year-round
Pond with a fountain at Landgoed De Paauw in Wassenaar

Landgoed De Paauw — off-leash year-round, in the heart of the village

Right by the town hall lies Landgoed De Paauw: a friendly park where dogs are allowed off-leash all year (except the Prinsessentuin). There's a large pond with a fountain and an open field to run. On sunny days it's pleasantly busy with dogs and owners.

WhereAround Raadhuis De Paauw, Wassenaar
When off-leashYear-round (except the Prinsessentuin)
ParkingNearby, including on Prinses Marielaan (check the signs on site)
LuckyPaw tipCombine it with neighbouring Backershagen via the “Landgoederenroute” signs for a longer walk
Seasonal
Woodland path with moss hills at Landgoed Backershagen in Wassenaar

Landgoed Backershagen — fairytale woods, off-leash outside nesting season

Backershagen is an old, sprawling wooded estate between the N44 and Backershagenlaan. The area around the moss hills by the Schelpengrot (shell grotto) has an almost fairytale feel. Dogs can be off-leash from 1 August to 1 March; leashed during nesting season (1 March–1 August).

WhereBetween Rijksstraatweg (N44) and Backershagenlaan
When off-leash1 August–1 March (leashed in nesting season)
ParkingE.g. Raadhuislaan
NoteWatch for cyclists and horses; there's no café in the area
LuckyPaw tipLarge grassy fields with benches make this ideal for a puppy who can't walk far yet — burns energy without a long walk
Seasonal
The vast dunes of Berkheide between Wassenaar and Katwijk

Berkheide — vast dunes towards Katwijk

Between Wassenaar and Katwijk lie the Berkheide dunes, part of Hollandse Duinen National Park. Dogs can be off-leash outside nesting season, as long as they stay on the paths and respond to recall. Some grazing sections require a leash. The exact seasonal dates and leash zones differ between parts of the area — always check the signs at the entrance.

WhereDune strip between Wassenaar and Katwijk; routes start at the hotel Duinoord car park
When off-leashOutside nesting season, on the paths and under recall (check the signs on site for current dates)
NoteLots of barbed wire along the paths and many cyclists/runners — your dog really needs to listen. Not ideal for a dog that likes to follow its nose
LuckyPaw tipFrom Berkheide you can walk through to the dog beach via the access between posts 91–92

Smaller designated off-leash fields in the village

Besides the large estates, there are smaller designated spots where dogs can be off-leash (outside nesting season, max 4 dogs, not on cycle paths):

  • The field by Parklaan (near the wethouder Huibregtse school), bounded by Burmanlaan/Clematislaan/Violierenweg
  • Part of the Berkheiveld, next to the market square
  • The wooded strip between Katwijkseweg and the Duinrell grounds
  • The paths and dikes around Weteringbos I and II
Important

Where your dog is NOT allowed: Landgoed De Horsten

This is the most important correction in this guide. Landgoed De Horsten is completely off-limits to dogs, all year — even leashed. Many online guides list De Horsten as dog-friendly or “leashed allowed”. That is wrong. Because of free-roaming wildlife, dogs are not allowed anywhere on the estate. Don't bring your dog here, however beautiful it looks.

Frequently asked questions about off-leash dogs in Wassenaar

On the dog beach (posts 91–92) and in Landgoed De Paauw. Most other areas are seasonal.

No. De Horsten is completely closed to dogs year-round, even on a leash, due to wildlife.

Always inside the built-up area (except designated off-leash zones), always on cycle paths, and in most nature areas during nesting season (1 March–1 August).

On the designated dog beach (posts 91–92) year-round. On the rest of the beach in summer (15 May–15 September), only before 09:00 and after 19:00.

A maximum of 4 off-leash dogs per handler in the designated areas.

Yes, everywhere, always. You're required to carry a waste bag.

Rather have us do the walking?

This guide helps you get out there yourself. But not everyone has time every day for a proper, long walk — and we get that. At LuckyPaw, we walk dogs from Wassenaar off-leash in exactly these areas, in small groups, with the same trusted handler each time. Calm, safe, and with full attention on your dog.

We know these spots inside out. Questions about where your dog will settle best? Just send us a message.

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