Do I need prior experience with axes?

No prior experience is necessary; the course is designed to teach safe axe handling from the ground up.

Is accommodation included?

Overnight costs are included as part of the course, but meals are self-catered.

What age can participate?

The course is open to participants aged 16 and older, or 14 if accompanied by a parent.

Axes and necessary tools are provided, though you may bring your own axe if preferred.

The course runs rain or shine, so please come prepared with waterproof gear.

Master Safe Axe Use and Maintenance in Leersums Veld: A Hands-On Two-Day Forest Course | Eco Tour

Q: How do I get to the meeting point?

Participants meet at the Staatsbosbeheer parking area at Maarsbergseweg 18a, Leersum.

Set deep within the serene woodlands of Leersums Veld in Utrecht, Netherlands, "Veilig Bijl Gebruik en Onderhoud" offers a rare and practical immersion into the art and safety of axe handling. This exclusive two-day course goes beyond the ordinary, inviting outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers to engage directly with traditional forestry skills in a setting managed by Staatsbosbeheer. The experience is crafted for those seeking not just adventure but mastery in axe use—from felling trees to carving wood—all while surrounded by the calm pulse of the Dutch forest.

Participants gather at the Staatsbosbeheer parking area at Maarsbergseweg 18a before embarking on a roughly 25-minute walk into the dense forest heart of Leersums Veld. Here, under expert guidance, the course begins with the fundamental and often most demanding task: safely felling a standing tree. Patience and precision define this stage, allowing learners to understand the mechanics and risks involved.

Following the tree felling, the focus shifts to splitting wood with a specialized splitting axe. This hands-on segment reinforces safety practices while building strength and technique in handling heavy, sharp tools. Beyond these essential tasks, the workshop delves into three particular wilderness skills crucial for anyone who values self-reliance outdoors: cutting small wood sections, splitting logs, and intricate woodcarving. The course wraps with a detailed session on axe maintenance, ensuring each participant leaves with the knowledge to keep their tools sharp and reliable.

What sets this workshop apart is its blend of traditional skill acquisition combined with immersive outdoor experience. Being the only course of its kind in the Netherlands focused on comprehensive axe safety, it commands respect and admiration from both novices and seasoned outdoorsfolk. This self-catering adventure encourages campers to prepare their own meals using shared campfire facilities, fostering camaraderie and a deeper connection to the wilderness environment.

Leersums Veld itself enriches the experience with its rich biodiversity and tranquil forest atmosphere—typical of the Dutch central woodlands. Surrounded by native oaks, beeches, and pines, visitors can often spot local wildlife such as woodpeckers and red squirrels, adding an extra layer to this hands-on forest journey. The location’s stewardship by Staatsbosbeheer underscores a commitment to sustainability and respectful interaction with nature, ensuring that the land and its lessons endure for future adventurers.

Ideal for those aged 16 and up, this course requires moderate physical fitness and curiosity about traditional outdoor craft. Whether you're preparing for extended wilderness trips or simply eager to deepen your connection with nature’s tools, Veilig Bijl Gebruik en Onderhoud offers a highly practical, safe, and memorable forest experience just outside the peaceful town of Leersum.

About Siegurd

Siegurd is a nature-focused workshop provider based in Loosdrecht, Noord-Holland, offering hands-on outdoor and indoor experiences that teach craft, bushcraft, and cooking skills. The program includes basket-making (Coiling), outdoor campfire cooking with Dutch ovens (Buiten Koken), bread baking on Dutch ovens and frying pans with a scenic walk to Leersums Veld (Brood Bakken), and a Sami bracelet workshop led by Marieke Nooij using reindeer leather and horn. Siegurd also runs family-focused events such as the Ouder en Kind Weekend and supervised children’s sessions like Mes- en Zaagveiligheid voor kids (ages 6–12), where parental attendance is required. Additional workshops cover birch bark techniques (Berkenbast series), pizza-making in a portable oven, mushroom identification walks (Wilde Paddenstoelen), basic winter fire-making (Vuur de Basis), and a range of bushcraft skills including axe use, spoon carving, sharpening, field butchery, and first aid (EHBO).

Activities take place in woodland settings around Leersums Veld and in a cozy indoor atelier for select crafts. Participants create tangible keepsakes, learn practical outdoor skills, and follow clear age guidelines and safety notes provided at booking. Sessions list age restrictions where relevant and specify materials used, such as natural fibres, reindeer leather, and spruce roots. Siegurd is featured on The Adventure Collective and presents a diverse calendar of workshops in Noord-Holland designed for learners, families, and outdoor enthusiasts seeking skill-based, hands-on experiences.

Booking information, exact age requirements, and specific meeting points are provided on the listing pages so participants can prepare and choose the best workshop for their needs in advance.