Getting outside – the most beautiful Dutch nature reserves

The summer vacations are over but that does not mean an end to summer! In fact: in late summer it is great to be in Dutch nature! We have listed the most beautiful Dutch nature reserves for you. And after the fresh air, a cup of coffee or hot chocolate tastes even better! Little tip: the heather is at its most beautiful now!

National Park the Loonse and Drunense Dunes

You probably won’t be able to see the entire area of De Loonse en Drunense Duinen in North Brabant. After all, the area is over 4000 hectares in size! Due to the variety of crops and vegetation, no kilometer is the same. One moment you walk through grass and the next through sandy plains and swamps. Afterwards, enjoy a delicious pancake at Pancake House the Wonderbos.

The Drentse Aa

The Drentse Aa is a stream surrounded by a beautiful nature reserve. In and around the area you will find farmland and a number of pleasant villages. The stream has been meandering through the area for centuries and doesn’t care about anyone. The area around the brook itself is untouched, which is unique in the Netherlands. After your walk, you can relax at De Liefde van de Drentsche Aa.

The Biesbosch

The National Park de Biesbosch is proof that the Netherlands is mostly made of water. This protected nature reserve is the largest freshwater tidal area in Europe! Besides beautiful nature, the place is also very popular with all kinds of water birds and animals. Especially the beaver population is very well represented! Around the Biesbosch are a lot of nice restaurants where you can recover from your walk.

The Green Heart

The Green Heart is located in the middle of the Randstad, bordering Rotterdam, Haarlem, Amsterdam and Utrecht, among others. It is a wonderful natural landscape to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. All kinds of special meadow birds live here, including endangered bird species such as the black-tailed godwit, the lapwing and the oystercatcher. You can eat and drink at several nice restaurants, but definitely worth a visit is Alfreds.

The Maasduinen

Do you happen to be near northern Limburg? Then you can go hiking in the Maasduinen. This nature reserve is one of the three nature reserves you can find in this area. The forest and heathland area is over 4500 hectares and among other things, it is home to cranes. National Park De Maasduinen is unique in that it contains the longest river dune belt in the Netherlands. Around the Maasduinen there are all kinds of restaurants and other facilities where you can eat and drink something, including three pancake houses!

National Park De Hoge Veluwe

National Park De Hoge Veluwe is one of the more famous Dutch nature reserves. The park is fenced off with high fences to protect the animals. This makes it very likely that you will spot a deer or boar! Keep in mind that the Hoge Veluwe does charge an entrance fee to visit. This is because the park does not receive any subsidies. Besides beautiful pine forests there is also a large desert-like area and there are also lakes and dunes. Very special and definitely worth visiting! Did you get hungry after the hike? Then you can have a delicious meal at the Park Restaurant De Hoge Veluwe. Are you more hungry for a cup of coffee or tea with sweets? Then De Theekoepel is the place to be.

The Utrecht Ridge

The Utrecht Ridge National Park also has a varied landscape. While walking you will come across heathlands, drifting sand deserts, flood plains and even moraines. You can walk around for hours and hours because the Utrecht Ridge is the second largest forest area in the Netherlands after the Hoge Veluwe. You might even spot the rare pine marten! After a brisk walk in this beautiful nature reserve, you will completely relax. The area is quite fragmented and therefore it is difficult to indicate a location where you can eat and drink. But whether you are looking for a drink and a quick snack, a tasty Italian ice cream or pancakes? The Hillside is a culinary delight for everyone!

The Dutch Wadden area

Want to enjoy truly unspoiled nature and an oasis of tranquility? Then The Wadden area is the place to be. The Wadden Islands are not limited only to the Netherlands: it is a strip of 500 km and runs all the way through Germany to Denmark. Since 2009, the Wadden Sea has been a World Heritage Site. Spot the many birds and even seals. Visit seal crèche Pieterburen and melt at the sight of the big eyes of these beautiful animals.

National Park Dutch Dunes

A wonderful nature reserve in the making is National Park Hollandse Duinen. You will find this nature reserve in South Holland and will run from Hoek van Holland to the Langevelderslag. The route will be 43 km long and 8.5 km wide. Yet you can already enjoy it! After all, you can enjoy walking and cycling here. For example, visit the area between Kijkduin and Scheveningen! At the beginning of March the first beach tents start to show up again so you can enjoy a cup of coffee and a lunch after your walk!

So all out and about!

More hiking and biking tips? Then click on the following link. Here you will find the most beautiful and fun walking and cycling routes per province.

Credits photos: Sonja Koene and OpstapmetLisa