The Schoorl Dunes

Those who think of Alkmaar naturally think of the world-famous cheese market that takes place here throughout the summer. But there is so much more to see in Alkmaar and the surrounding area! Castle Ter Coulster and Slot Ypestein in Heilo are definitely worth a look. The ruins of Slot op den Hoef and the Ruinekerk in Bergen will take you back to medieval times. But besides the castles and estates in the area, you can especially enjoy the largest dune area in the Netherlands: the Schoorl Dunes. What makes the Schoorl Dunes so unique is the presence of heathlands. But forests and drifting sand are also mostly present. Because of the drainage behind the dunes, salt water enters nature, attracting many new plants and flowers. This flora, in turn, also brings a lot of new animals. The result? A beautiful natural area every season of the year! The silence of winter gives way to a chorus of birdsong as soon as spring returns. In summer, the meadow is full of flowers that have the most beautiful colors and give off the most delicious scents. And once autumn arrives, you can find as many as over 800 species of mushrooms! So, a very beautiful route all year round!