Utility poles in Netherlands
Hardly any poles at all
No poles anywhere? The Netherlands puts nearly all its power lines underground. A red cycle path seals it.
- Almost no utility poles: power lines run underground.
- Red asphalt cycle paths next to the road.
- Flat land, canals and brick houses.
11 photos, grouped by the clue they show.
Key clue Cycle path, no wires 5
Key clue Canal, no wires 2
Key clue Lone slim pole 4
Netherlands: what its poles look like
The Netherlands is the country of the missing poles. Nearly all of its low-voltage power lines run underground, so most Dutch streets have no overhead wires at all.
That makes the empty sky itself a clue, together with what you see on the ground: red asphalt cycle paths, canals, flat land and brick houses.
You may still see the odd pole along a rural road or near a farm, and big pylons carry high-voltage lines across the countryside, but ordinary streets in towns and villages are almost always free of wires.
Look-alikes: how to tell them apart
Netherlands vs 
Germany
Neighbouring Germany and Belgium have more overhead lines, especially in villages. If the street has no wires, a red cycle path and Dutch signs, you are almost certainly in the Netherlands.
Questions about poles in Netherlands
Why are there no utility poles in the Netherlands?
Most Dutch low-voltage power and phone lines were put underground. Flat, soft ground makes digging easier, and buried cables are protected from storms.
How can I recognise the Netherlands without poles?
Look for red cycle paths, canals, flat land, brick houses and the absence of overhead wires. Together they are a strong Dutch clue.