Zuid-Kennemerland National Park, Coastal reserve with dunes and forests in North Holland, Netherlands
Zuid-Kennemerland National Park is a coastal nature reserve in North Holland featuring dunes, forests, and sandy beaches across several thousand hectares. A network of hiking trails winds through the terrain, offering access to different landscapes and wildlife viewing areas.
The area served as a hunting ground for wealthy Amsterdam residents in the 17th century before becoming a protected national park after 1995. This transformation from private use to public nature reserve reflects a major shift in how the coastal landscape is valued and managed.
The manor houses scattered through the park reflect the tastes of wealthy Amsterdam merchants who built summer retreats here. These estates show how the affluent class used the coastal landscape for leisure and continue to shape the park's character.
Wear sturdy shoes since trails run through sand and wet areas where weather can change quickly. Starting at the visitor center helps you plan routes and locate wildlife observation spots before heading out on the paths.
The park is home to a herd of European bison introduced in 2007 that visitors can observe on guided tours within fenced enclosures. These large hoofed animals give visitors a rare chance to see creatures that have nearly disappeared from European wild spaces.
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