Kiss Bridge

The Kiss Bridge is a small footbridge in the Lepelaarplassen, a wetland nature reserve on the edge of Almere in the province of Flevoland. The name is playful, and so is the character of the place: the bridge is a pause on a network of paths that wind between ponds, reed beds and willow scrub, and it gives an easy place to stand and look at the water. It also appears under a second, informal name, the Pirate Island Bridge, which suggests the way the small islands in the marsh capture the imagination of children and adults alike.

The reserve is itself a product of human planning. Flevoland was reclaimed from the sea in the twentieth century, and the Lepelaarplassen was created in the 1970s as a marshland along the new land's edge by the Markermeer. Over the decades it has become a rich habitat for water birds. It is named after the spoonbill, in Dutch lepelaar, a large white wader that nests here, and visitors can also expect to see herons, great crested grebes, geese and ducks, and in some years white-tailed eagles hunting over the water. The reserve is part of the European Natura 2000 network, which protects the habitats of birds and other wildlife.

The bridge sits on routes that link several walking and cycling trails, so it makes a natural stop for a rest and a photograph. From the middle of the bridge you can look over the ponds and the reeds, and early morning or evening, when the birds are active and the light is soft, is the best time to be here. Bring binoculars if you have them, since many of the birds stay at a distance, and keep quiet if you hope to see shy species. The area is freely accessible and has no fixed opening hours.

There is more to explore nearby. The Spoonbill Path leads into the reserve, and the Markermeer Dike Route runs along the lake edge with wide views, while there are also places where white-tailed eagle nests can be seen from a distance. The paths are flat and well maintained, making it easy for families and for people with limited mobility, and cycling is the best way to cover the whole area. Almere itself has shops, cafes and modern architecture a short ride away.

The bridge suits birdwatchers, photographers, couples and families looking for an easy walk in nature. Wear shoes that can cope with damp ground after rain, and bring insect repellent in summer.