Spot wildlife and grazing animals near Duinrell
Would you dare to come face to face with a Highland cow? Or would you rather spot seals along the coast? Did you know that Nationaal Park Hollandse Duinen is one of the ten most bird-rich nature areas in the Netherlands? It’s the perfect place to discover wildlife during your stay at Duinrell.
Looking for roe deer
Did you know you can spot roe deer near Duinrell Estate? The Roe Deer Trail (2.6 km) starts at the Kievietsduin car park in Meijendel. This scenic route takes you through dense woodland and open dunes, where many roe deer live. You may not always see them, but chances are they’ve already spotted you.
Birdwatching
Meijendel is one of the most bird-rich areas in the Netherlands, with around 250 different species recorded. For birdwatchers, a special bird hide has been placed in the Kijfhoek area of Meijendel, overlooking a dune lake and surrounding vegetation. If you're lucky, you might spot a kingfisher, water rail, red-crested pochard or one of many other bird species. The bird hide is located along the blue walking route through Meijendel. Another great option is a walk through the pine forests of Ganzenhoek, where you'll enjoy beautiful views over the bird lake.
Highland cattle
Would you like to come face to face with Highland cattle? These impressive animals roam freely in the dunes of Hollandse Duinen, where they thrive among reed beds, ponds and open landscapes. February and March are especially special, as this is the season when many calves are born.
Seals at Noordvoort
At the northern edge of Nationaal Park Hollandse Duinen lies the protected beach reserve of Noordvoort. Between Noordwijk and Zandvoort, seals and birds enjoy a three-kilometre stretch of beach where human access is restricted.
Want to catch a glimpse of the seals?Walk along the outer dune ridge, one of the few places in the Netherlands where this is allowed. From the path and three viewing points, you may be lucky enough to spot seals resting on the beach. Even without wildlife sightings, the walk itself is well worth it.
Wild horses
Horse lovers should not miss this. Along the edge of Meijendel and directly next to the Duinrell estate, you can spot beautiful Konik horses. These wild grazers roam the open dune landscape of De Hertenkamp and are often seen while walking through the area. Thanks to its rich variety of plants and wildlife, this hidden corner of the dunes is a surprisingly beautiful and unique nature reserve.
