Zandvoort dunes
A unique landscape through which the most beautiful routes run so you can enjoy walking, cycling and recreation. Check out the routes, read what is allowed and learn more about the unique environment.
Overcome by rest
Zandvoort’s dunes are a vast area characterised by varied flora and fauna. And do you know what makes this area so special? It seems like a kind of no man’s land where you are overwhelmed by the tranquillity. A separate piece of nature, separate from the sea and the ‘mainland’. As soon as you climb over a dune from the beach with the murmuring sea in your ears, it becomes windless. You can hear the songbirds and smell the different plants and trees. Just sit back and enjoy!
The most beautiful routes through the dunes
-
Hooglanders in Midden-Herenduin
National Park Zuid-Kennemerland is home to several large grazers, such as Scottish Highlanders, Konik horses and Shetland ponies. The animals roam freely here and are used to 'prune' the vegetation in a natural way. You can encounter the animals during the walk.
Walking route -
Natuurlijk Zandvoort
With this route you cycle along the many faces that the area around Zandvoort has to offer. From Zandvoort you cycle along the Amsterdam Waterleidingduinen through Bentveld and Heemstede to Haarlem. For the return journey you cycle over the Visserspad and Duinpieperpad.
Bicycle route -
Ronde Zandvoort – Haarlem
With this route you make a small excursion outside Zandvoort. Through the dunes you cycle to Haarlem where you can enjoy the city life. There are enough places here to recharge or explore the city in between. Via the other side you cycle back to Zandvoort.
Bicycle route -
De Bloembollenroute
The flower bulb route is a versatile route where you see many different landscapes. Along the Amsterdam Waterleidingduinen you cycle along the coast towards Noordwijk. Once you arrive in Noordwijk you can enjoy the beautifully colored bulb fields.
Bicycle route -
De Vier Kernen van Zandvoort
This route takes you along the four cores of Zandvoort; beach, circuit, nature and the village. Along the beach you drive to Bloemendaal, here you drive into the dunes towards Parnassia. Drink a nice cup of coffee here and then continue your route back to Zandvoort along the circuit.
Bicycle route -
De Duinronde
This route takes you through the various dune areas around Zandvoort. From IJmuiden to Noordwijk. Every spot is different and has its own beauty. Along the route you can spot different types of animals so pay close attention. Maybe you will see a deer or a Scottish Highlander!
Bicycle route -
Route naar Noordvoort
With this route you walk from the NS station into the peace of nature. Spot seals at the Noordvoort nature reserve from the sea strip and come face to face with foxes and deer in the Amsterdam Waterleidingduinen. A unique walk.
Walking route -
Rondje om de Zuidduinen
The Zuiderduin loop takes you through the southern dunes of Zandvoort and a part through the Amsterdam Waterleidingduinen. Enjoy the fresh sea air, the animals in the AWD and the beautiful views.
Walking route
Unique landscape
Nowhere else but in the Netherlands will you find sand dunes as natural coastal defences combined with rich and unique plants and animals. Tallgrass keeps the sand in place and keeps the mountains of sand from blowing away.
National Park Zuid-Kennemerland
Walking dunes in the National Park
In places where marram grass or other crops do not grow, sand hills ‘wander’ through the landscape. Especially in National Park South-Kennemerland, you can see this in the sea strip. This creates a constantly changing landscape, which makes every visit unique and every bike ride special. In the visitor centre you can learn more about dune nature. There is also a cosy dune café and children can play outside in a fun nature playground. Children can play on the Hazewei and swim in ‘t Wed.
Waterleidingduinen
Strolling through the dunes
The dunes protect the land from the sea. So, as you understand, they have to be used sparingly, but at the same time we like to share them with you. One area where you can get off the paths and walk freely are the Amsterdam Water Supply Dunes (AWD). So apart from paved paths, you can also go out into nature and explore the area on your own.
The North Dunes
The ‘Noordduinen’ area near Zandvoort hosts valuable nature and is popular with visitors. The nature here consists of a varied mosaic of grasslands, pools, some trees, marram grasslands and paths that are frequently used or, on the contrary, have become overgrown. This area is characterised as a typical ‘sea village landscape’ with accompanying special natural and cultural-historical value. Several old potato fields can also be found in the Noordduinen. Some have grown over with thickets but others are still regularly cultivated and are overgrown part of the time with species such as field thistle and evening primrose.
Route Noordvoort
About the sea bar
Because of its importance, it is forbidden to walk on the zeereep, the first row of dunes after the beach. With the exception of a small stretch between Zandvoort and Noordwijk. Between beach posts 73 and 70 you will find nature reserve Noordvoort, a 3-kilometre-long stretch of beach where nature has free rein and people are prohibited. So this is where you have to go up the zeereep and have a fantastic view of the sea on one side and the waterleidingduinen on the other.
Zandvoort big five
A unique collection animals
The area around Zandvoort is home to many animals. From unique (migratory) birds and mustelids to large grazers such as Konik horses and Scottish Highlanders. Unique here are the wisents that roam freely in the Kraansvlak, a separate part of the National Park. This area is one of the few in the Netherlands where you can encounter this European Bison in the wild. The nature reserve in the south of Zandvoort is also home to the largest population of fallow deer in the Netherlands. Absolute deer guarantee.
An overwhelming environment with so much beauty
On a stormy day, we decided to brave the elements and set off on an adventure. Off to Noordvoort! What followed was a remarkable journey with rugged coastal landscapes, the serene nature of the Amsterdamse Waterleidingduinen and wildlife frolicking around us.
– Stephanie, Amsterdamwalks.nl –
Walk through the dunes
Escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and enjoy the beautiful flora and fauna.
Wanderrouten
Walking route in the dunes
Between the mountains of sand run numerous marked hiking trails where you can make your own various trips along wide footpaths and narrow, exciting footpaths. During your walk, the chances of coming face to face with a fallow deer are particularly high. The Waterleidingduinen are home to the largest population of fallow deer in the Netherlands.
Bunkerwalk
During a walk through AWD, chances are you can also get a glimpse into the area’s past. Especially if you go off the paths. There are still lots of World War II bunkers hidden in the area.
Deerwalk
During the deer’s mating season, in October, several guided walks are organised. During these walks, you get the chance to experience the rutting season up close. The ‘knurren’ (the call), the hunting and, with a bit of luck, also the fighting of the deer.
The rut was hugely impressive
With our guide, we walked into the dunes in search of deer. We didn’t have to look far, because they were right there at the entrance, next to the path. It was clear that it was rutting season. We regularly heard the deer bellowing, or ‘grunting’ as the guide explained. After walking off the paths for about 30 minutes, we came to a place where the deer were gathering. It was really cool to hear the animals, see them hunting and even see them fighting! The sound of their antlers clashing was incredibly impressive.
– Annika –
Parking
You can park on the grounds at the entrance to the AWD, at P-de Zuid and on the boulevard in Zandvoort, at Parnassia aan zee and at visitor centre De Kennemerduinen
Guided walk
If you want to know more about the dunes, book a guided walk. He can tell you all about the area. Several walks can be booked through Waternet and through the visitor centre.