The Westerheide is the open heath that runs south-west of Laren towards Hilversum — several hundred hectares of heather, sandy paths, and scattered pine, kept open by grazing Scottish Highland cattle and Drenthe heath sheep. In August the heather turns a deep purple, the local cliché made true; in winter it is a pale, austere landscape and almost empty.
It is the easiest piece of proper outdoors near Amsterdam — half an hour by car or train and you are walking through an active grazed heathland. Marked walking and cycling routes start from the edge of the village; the Janskerkhof sits in the middle of the heath and makes a natural objective for a short walk out.