Dune Landscape (Zandvoortse Duinen)

Zandvoort is a seaside resort on the coast of North Holland, a short train ride from Amsterdam and Haarlem, and behind its beach and its busy streets lies a landscape of sand dunes that stretches for kilometres along the coast. The dunes form part of two larger protected areas. To the north is the Zuid-Kennemerland National Park, a mosaic of dunes, woods and marshes, and to the south lies a large dune area that serves as the source of drinking water for Amsterdam, where rainwater filters through the sand. Together they make one of the most extensive stretches of coastal dune in the country.

The dunes serve as the first line of defence against the sea, and they are also a rich natural habitat. Marram grass and sea buckthorn hold the sand together on the outer dunes, while behind them the landscape gives way to dune valleys with damp hollows, heath, scrub and woodland. Orchids and other uncommon plants grow in the damp valleys in spring, and the scrub is full of birds. Grazing animals help to keep the landscape open. In the Kraansvlak area, a group of European bison, called wisents, was introduced to the dunes in the first decade of this century, and they live there more or less freely, grazing and shaping the vegetation, though they are rarely easy to see. Other grazers include Highland cattle and wild ponies.

Several marked routes lead through the dunes. Walking loops of around ten kilometres explore the southern dunes and the bison area, and the paths wind up and down over sandy ridges, with views of the sea from the tops. A route for cyclists links Zandvoort with Haarlem over a longer distance, passing through woods and over the dunes, and other cycle routes retrace the history of the old fishing village. The paths are well signposted, and maps are available in the town. Visitors are asked to stay on the marked paths, because the dune plants are fragile and the dunes protect the land from flooding.

The dunes are free to enter and open at all times, and they are easy to reach from the centre of Zandvoort. They make a pleasant contrast to a day on the beach, and a good place to escape the crowds, particularly at weekends in summer. Sandy paths can be heavy going, so wear sturdy shoes, bring water and use sun protection.

The area suits walkers, cyclists, families and nature lovers. A short walk takes an hour, and a longer loop takes half a day. Zandvoort also has the famous racing circuit nearby.