Vlietlanden, Protected natural area in South Holland, Netherlands
Vlietlanden is a protected nature reserve in South Holland covering about 300 hectares of peat landscape. Three lakes form the heart of the area, creating open water surrounded by forests and grasslands.
This land was never drained or reclaimed, unlike most areas in the Netherlands, and kept its original height above the surrounding land. This makes it one of the rare peat regions that maintained its natural form over centuries.
Traditional farming shapes the area today, with local farmers and conservation groups working together to maintain the landscape. Visitors encounter wading and water birds in their natural home, supported by this ongoing partnership.
The reserve offers walking paths of different lengths that you can choose based on how much time you have. The open areas provide little shelter, so come prepared for changing weather conditions.
A large heron colony nests in the forests here, making it one of the main breeding grounds for this bird species. Water shrews, another uncommon animal, also depend on this wetland for survival.
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