Dunes & woods in Holland above Amsterdam
" The countryside is beautiful in Holland above Amsterdam. Discover the most beautiful spots on foot or by bike. "
The highest dune of the Netherlands is in Schoorl. Once you have conquered the tough climb, with clear weather you can see a large portion of Holland above Amsterdam. But there is more! At Castricum, you can take some lovely exercise in the water supply dunes, where nature purifies our drinking water. You need an admission ticket for the water supply dunes, which start south of Bergen aan Zee. You will thus help to preserve this bit of nature for future generations. But there are also woods on the east side of Holland above Amsterdam. Take a look in the Streekbos or Robbenbos, these are relatively new woods with plenty to do.
Woodland area
Streekbos Bovenkarspel
The Streekbos offers plenty of recreational activities: swimming in the swimming lake, fishing, relaxing on the beach, cycling and walking.
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Robbenoordbos
The Robbenoordbos is in the north-east corner of North Holland - almost up against the Aflsuitdijk. It is a lovely place to walk and cycle.
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Dijkgatsbos
The Dijkgatsbos is a semi-open wooded area and lies on the migratory route of many rare birds. From the lookout tower you can spot deer and birds over the Dijkgats meadows.
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Heilooërbos
This is a large old wooded area, very suitable for children to play games in. On the Kattenberg is an ancient tree with loads of cracks and hiding holes, it is called ‘the Sweets tree’ ('de Snoepjesboom' in Dutch).
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North Holland Dune Reservation
The area between Bergen aan Zee and the North Sea Canal, known as the North Holland Dune Reservation, is managed by the provincial water board. The area has deciduous and coniferous forests, sandy dunes with marram grass, small dune lakes, heather vegetation and various species of birds, butterflies, rabbits and squirrels.
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Schoorl Dunes
Are you not put off by a little climbing and descending? Then climb the Schoorl Dunes, the broadest dune area in the top of North Holland, with the highest dunes and also plenty of room to get a breath of fresh air.
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Zwanenwater
Behind the dunes, just south of Callantsoog, is the nature reserve known as ‘Het Zwanenwater’. The landscape consists of dunes, plains, march, pinewood forest and two lakes surrounded with vegetation.
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De Helderse Duinen
This beautiful dune landscape with low dune ridges, a dune lake, dune valleys and woods is an El Dorado of rare plants and birds. The Helderse Duinen consist of the Grafelijkheidsduinen (meaning Dunes owned by the Counts), the Donkere Duinen and the Refugium.
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De Putten
This area consists of shallow lakes and is a rich breeding ground for godwit, lapwing, common tern, great ringed plover, redshank and spoonbill.
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Walking
Take a breath of fresh air. Walk along a beautiful route through woods or dunes.
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