Vliehors, Military training area and beach on Vlieland, Netherlands.
Vliehors is a military training area and beach located on the western side of Vlieland, featuring extensive sand plains. The site functions as both an active training ground and a recreational area with distinct zones for different uses.
The area became a training ground for the Dutch Royal Air Force starting in the mid-20th century. Over time, recreational zones were gradually integrated alongside the military operations.
Local guides lead educational tours through the Vliehors Express, teaching visitors about the natural formations and military significance of this dual-purpose landscape.
You can visit on weekends when military exercises are not happening, though it is worth checking access conditions beforehand. Wear sturdy footwear and bring layers, as the exposed sand plain offers little shelter from wind or weather.
The plain supports bird species and plants adapted specifically to sandy, exposed conditions rarely found elsewhere in Europe. This combination of habitat and location makes it an important refuge for these specialized organisms.
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