When you are looking for extraordinary Dutch nature!
Did you know that some of the most frequently mentioned reasons for Dutch people to vacation abroad is sun and nature? Sunshine we have more and more and nature in abundance! Therefore, our top 4: The Most Beautiful Dutch Landscape Features.
#4 The Hunzedal & Drentsche Aa
Location:
Between Groningen, Assen and Emmen.
Description:
This is one of the best-preserved stream landscapes in the Netherlands. The Hunzedal and the Drentsche Aa consist of meandering streams, heathlands, ash villages and historic dolmens. The landscape has preserved its natural course, which is rare in the Netherlands. Highlights in this area are sure to include:
- National Park Drentsche Aa, an area full of forest, heath and ash villages
- The dolmens near Borger, relics of prehistoric inhabitants
- The Balloërveld, a vast moorland with a flock of sheep
#3 Sand dunes
Location:
Gelderland, North Brabant, Utrecht, North Holland and Drenthe/Friesland.
Description:
Sand drifts are a special natural phenomenon in the Netherlands. They are open sand landscapes where the wind has free play, and they are found mainly on the Veluwe and in North Brabant. They were once created by deforestation and overgrazing in the Middle Ages, but today they are deliberately managed to preserve this unique landscape. And we're not doing so badly….
In fact, the Kootwijkerzand (near Kootwijk) is the largest active drift sand area in Western Europe. But we also know the 'Brabant Sahara' between Tilburg and Waalwijk, which is hardly inferior in size to the Kootwijkerzand. In case you think: famous equals popular and crowded, this is a bit true. Highly recommended is the Hulshorsterzand. One of the last large drift sand areas on the Veluwe. Surrounded by moors and forests. And … nice and quiet!
#2 The South Limburg Hill Country
Location:
South Limburg (and in our case also Haspengouw)
Description:
Hills (let's not talk about mountains in the Netherlands) we know very little in the Netherlands. But fortunately there is Limburg (…and Belgium). The South Limburg Heuvelland and the Belgian Haspengouw together form a unique landscape that is very different from the rest of the Netherlands. This area has rolling hills, orchards, old castles and a rich history.
Whereas in South Limburg you are still surrounded by hills, river valleys and river plateaus, a few kilometers away (in the Haspengouw) you will find, in addition to fruit orchards, numerous castles, old farms and hollow roads. The latter is a phenomenon that occurs when a path or road gets deeper into the landscape as a result of erosion and centuries of wear and tear.
#1 The Veluwe
Location:
Gelderland
Description:
The reason we have the Veluwe at number 1 is actually because you can find almost everything of the above in this one area. It is one of the most varied natural areas in the Netherlands. It consists of vast forests, purple moors, sand drifts and wildlife-rich areas. You will find hills, admittedly not as in South Limburg, but who does not know the Posbank? Beautiful museums, think Kröller-Müller museum) and even some small-scale fruit orchards (which is quite unique on these sandy soils).
Whereas in South Limburg you are still surrounded by hills, river valleys and river plateaus, a few kilometers away (in the Haspengouw) you will find, in addition to fruit orchards, numerous castles, old farms and hollow roads. The latter is a phenomenon that occurs when a path or road gets deeper into the landscape as a result of erosion and centuries of wear and tear.
These kinds of lists are subjective, of course, and the Netherlands has many more areas that are more than worth the effort. But that certainly doesn't make these any less beautiful! In short, if you are looking for spectacular nature, you don't have to go that far. And, a little preaching to your own parish, everything can be seen by bike. How cool is that!
