On a space mission along the solar system trail
This is a day trip from the Dom square in the city center all the way to the middle of nature; the Amelisweerd. You walk (or bike) a route along the planets orbiting our sun. The distances and sizes are scaled 1:1,000,000,000. Occasionally look back at the Dom Tower and experience the dimensions of the solar system. With the questions you receive along the way, you'll learn something new about the planets or show off how much you know already!
Start location:
Close to the Domplein.
Finish location:
Note! Start and finish are 7 km apart. You can take a public transport bus back to Utrecht Centraal. The finish is close to bus stop Bunnik, Rhijnauwenselaan.
The sun
That sphere you've seen lying here at Dom Square in Utrecht since 1994, right in front of the university's academy building, is the sun! The same sun you see in the university's logo, with the same Latin text around it as in the logo. From the very beginning, the creator's plan was to use this as the starting point of a 'Utrecht solar system', but the planetary trail as it can now be walked wasnt completed until much later, in 2018.
The route has become even more beautiful than originally imagined. Mainly due to the transformation of a section of railway near the observatory was transformed into a lush bike and walking path in 2017. And Pluto, which was still considered a planet in 1994? It's no longer included. Visit planetenpad.nl if you want to know more about the Utrecht planetary trail and its creators.
A day trip in Utrecht
Ready for a special day trip in Utrecht and the surrounding area? Download the Utrecht Quiz Tour app and walk the planetary trail.