De Witte Bergen

De Witte Bergen, the White Mountains, is the name of a dune area at Noordwijk, on the North Sea coast of South Holland, and the name tells you what to expect: a landscape of high, pale sand dunes that glow in the sun. The Dutch coast is protected by a wide belt of dunes that runs from the Wadden Islands in the north to the Zeeland delta in the south, and the stretch around Noordwijk is among the most attractive, with a combination of open dunes, scrub, pine woods and the sea beyond. The Witte Bergen is part of this system, and it makes a pleasant and varied walk.

The dunes are young in geological terms. They were formed over the last few thousand years from sand blown inland from the beach, and the present line of high dunes mostly dates from the Middle Ages, when storms and shifting sand built up the barrier. Over time, people planted marram grass and other vegetation to hold the sand in place, and later pine plantations and nature management have shaped the landscape. The dunes are the first line of defence against the sea, and they are a protected habitat, so visitors are asked to keep to marked paths. Where they are bare, the sand looks almost white, which gives the area its name.

The walking and cycling routes make the area easy to explore. Paths wind through the dunes and connect with the Noordwijkse Bos, the woodland inland, and the Noordwijkse Duinen, and the terrain gives wide views of the sea and the countryside from the higher points. Birdwatchers can look for dune species such as skylarks, stonechats and, in spring and autumn, migrants, and rabbits are common. In late spring and summer the dune flowers bloom, and in the evening the light on the sand is especially beautiful. The area is open at all times, with no admission fees, and it can be reached from the town by bicycle or on foot, with parking at the edges.

Noordwijk offers a lot to combine with a walk. The beach and its pavilions are close, the town centre, the Kerkplein and Museum De Zwarte Toren show local history, and the Bollenstreek Route takes cyclists inland through the flower fields, which are at their best in April and early May. Keukenhof, the famous spring garden, is a short drive away, and the European Space Agency's research centre, ESTEC, is based in Noordwijk.

The dunes suit walkers, cyclists, photographers and anyone seeking open space near the sea. Bring windproof clothing, as the weather changes quickly, and wear sturdy shoes, since sand makes walking slow. Go in the morning or evening for the best light.