Buurserzand Heathland

The Buurserzand is an area of heathland and drifting sand in the Twente region of Overijssel, near the villages of Buurse and Haaksbergen, close to the German border. It is one of the more varied nature areas in the east of the Netherlands, combining open heath, bare sand, small lakes and patches of woodland. The landscape is the remnant of a type of countryside that once covered large areas of the sandy east, before reclamation and forestry replaced most of it.

The heathland was shaped by centuries of human use. Farmers grazed sheep on the heath, cut turf and gathered heather, which kept the land open and poor in nutrients. When people stopped using the land in this way, trees began to take over, and in many places the heath is now maintained by grazing and by clearing young trees. The drifting sands, where wind moves bare sand into dunes, are among the most striking features. They are also valuable for wildlife, since certain insects, plants and birds depend on open sand.

The heather blooms in late summer, usually from August into September, and the hills turn a deep purple. In other seasons, the heath shows golden grasses, green pines, silver birches and the colours of the sky. Walkers and cyclists follow marked routes through the area, and viewpoints on small hills give wide outlooks. Fens and pools provide homes for dragonflies and amphibians, and the area is known for its bird life.

The Buurserzand lies close to the Haaksbergerveen Nature Reserve, a raised bog, so the two can be combined into a longer outing. The contrast between wet bog and dry heath shows how varied this region is. Enschede and its Grolsch Veste stadium, and the old Twenthe airfield, lie to the north and give other things to see in a day.

The heathland suits walkers, cyclists, families and nature lovers. Wear sturdy shoes, bring water and sun protection in summer, and stay on marked paths to protect the vegetation. Dogs should be kept on a lead, particularly in the breeding season, and visitors should take litter home. Autumn and spring, when the light is soft and the crowds are small, are good times to visit. Heathland like this is rare and valuable. One of its pleasures is the quiet, and Twente’s nature areas are rarely crowded.