Noordwijkse Bos

The Noordwijkse Bos is a woodland just inland from the dunes of Noordwijk, on the North Sea coast of South Holland, and it is a green buffer between the town and the open coast. The forest is mostly made up of pine and other trees that were planted on the sandy ground behind the dunes, as in many places on the Dutch coast, to stabilise the sand and to create a place for walks and recreation. It gives a sheltered, shady contrast to the exposed beach and dune landscape that lies only a short distance away.

The woods have a network of paths that suit walkers, cyclists and families, and the terrain is flat and easy for all levels of fitness. Paths wind through pine forest and past sandy clearings, with benches in a number of places for a rest, and the shade is welcome on hot summer days. The area is quiet, particularly in the early morning and late afternoon, and it is a good place to see small wildlife and birds, including woodpeckers, jays and tits, as well as rabbits and sometimes deer in the quieter corners. The forest is open at all times and free to enter.

The Noordwijkse Bos is part of a larger coastal landscape that includes the Noordwijkse Duinen and De Witte Bergen, the White Mountains, a dune area with a distinctive character and a good place for a walk. Noordwijk's dunes are protected, and the paths are marked to keep visitors from damaging the vegetation, so it is important to stay on them. The woodland, the dunes and the beach together make up a varied landscape that can be explored in a day by bicycle, from the forest to the sea and back through the town.

There is much to do nearby. Noordwijk aan Zee Beach is a short ride away, with its beach pavilions and boulevard, and the Noordwijk Centrum has shops and cafes. The Kerkplein and Museum De Zwarte Toren are among the local sights, and the Bollenstreek Route takes cyclists inland through the flower fields, which bloom in spring. The Keukenhof gardens are a short drive away. The woods can be reached by car, bicycle or public transport from the town centre.

The forest suits walkers, cyclists, families with children and those who want to escape the crowds at the beach. Go in the morning or evening for the best light, bring insect repellent in summer and wear sturdy shoes.