Bruntenhof Historic Houses – Utrecht City Outer Canal loop from Utrecht Vaartsche Rijn
Bruntenhof Historic Houses – Utrecht City Outer Canal loop from Utrecht Vaartsche Rijn
4.8
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hikers
Bruntenhof Historic Houses – Utrecht City Outer Canal loop from Utrecht Vaartsche Rijn
01:46
6.97km
20m
Hiking
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.
Last updated: March 30, 2026
Tips
Includes a movable bridge
Check opening times.
After 3.97 km for 17 m
Waypoints
Start point
Train Station
Get Directions
905 m
Biru the Chow Chow Statue
Highlight • Monument
If you'd taken a stroll along the Singel canal in the 1980s and 1990s, you might have come across Utrecht artist Joop Hekman. Joop lived on Agnietenstraat and regularly walked his chow chow, Biru, along the water. And when Joop was indoors, Biru was often outdoors, sleeping in the small park across from Agnietenstraat. So, Biru was a well-known Utrecht dog.
In 1984, a sculpture group, created by Joop, was placed at Enschede City Hall. The artwork doesn't officially have a name, but it's called "Ko's Egg" or "The Family." A child is playing in the water, with the mother next to him, the father watching, and—yes, of course—a dog. You guessed it: Biru was the model for this bronze dog.
Then it's 1997: Biru has passed away, and Joop is celebrating his 75th birthday. A group of dog owners in Zocherpark has come together and formed the Biru Committee. Why? They believe Biru belongs in Utrecht. Thanks to the committee's efforts, they manage to make a cast of the Enschede chow chow. And so, Joop receives a special gift for his 75th birthday: his Biru back at the Servaas Bridge, where he always slept.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
1.53 km
Bruntenhof Historic Houses
Highlight • Historical Site
Translated by Google •
Tip by
1.70 km
Maliebrug
Highlight • Bridge
Translated by Google •
Tip by
1.81 km
Park Lepelenburg
Highlight • Rest Area
Tip by
4.07 km
City Crane Utrecht
Highlight • Monument
Merchants from north and south transported their goods by water along the Vaartse Rijn and the Vecht through the Oudegracht to the city crane.
(stadskraan.nl/nl/diensten.php?p=109)
Translated by Google •
Tip by
5.98 km
Utrecht City Outer Canal
Highlight • River
Translated by Google •
Tip by
6.38 km
Sterrenburg Bastion Remains
Highlight • Historical Site
Translated by Google •
Tip by
6.51 km
Louis Hartlooper Complex
Highlight • Monument
(hartlooper.nl/over-lhc/)
Translated by Google •
Tip by
6.97 km
End point
Train Station
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
3.76 km
1.35 km
1.35 km
396 m
119 m
Surfaces
3.23 km
2.65 km
555 m
360 m
119 m
< 100 m
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Elevation
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Weather
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Sunday 21 June
27°C
16°C
0 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 14.0 km/h
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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.
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