Zuid-Kennemerland National Park (known in English as South Kennemerland National Park) is one of the most interesting and beautiful national parks in all the Netherlands. Located just outside the city of Haarlem on the western coastline, Zuid-Kennemerland is famous for its gorgeous landscapes, extensive sand dunes, unusual plants, and numerous animal species as well. It’s a large area with quite a lot to see and do, so let’s take a closer look at Zuid-Kennemerland National Park!
TRIVIA:
❒ Official name: South Kennemerland National Park (Zuid-Kennemerland National Park)
❒ Established: 1995
❒ Size: 3800 ha
❒ Location: North Holland
Contents
DISCLOSURE: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase via one of those links, I will earn a commission at no extra cost for you.
About Zuid-Kennemerland National Park
Zuid-Kennemerland National Park sits right on the western coast of North Holland province, on the western outskirts of the city of Haarlem. It’s about 38 square kilometres in size (approximately 3,800 hectares), and mostly consists of sand dunes, beaches, and some small areas of forest as well.
The area has long been used as a water supply area for both Haarlem and Amsterdam and in modern times, has not been heavily populated by humans. A national park covering the area was first proposed by Dutch biologist and conservationist Jacobus Pieter Thijsse in the 1940s, and the original De Kennemerland National Park was established in 1950. Later, in 1995, this national park was expanded and combined with other neighbouring nature reserves, to form the Zuid-Kennemerland National Park that we know and love today.
It remains under the joint management of Statsbosbeheer (the Dutch State Forestry organisation), Natuurmonumenten (a conservation society), and several other local state owners, and a few private landowners as well.
The site today is a fascinating mixture of landscapes. On the eastern side, you’ll find grand country homes and extensive gardens built in the 18th century by rich Amsterdam merchants. Further west, towards the water, are the rolling dunes and their varied plant life that make this area so unique. And finally, at the western edge, stand the remote beaches facing the North Sea, and the youngest of the sand dunes.
How to get to Zuid-Kennemerland National Park
The best way to find out how to travel from A to B in the Netherlands is to use the Glimble app. You can buy your tickets in the app and travel hassle-free. The app is absolutely free to download.
Tip: Read this post about using the public transport in the Netherlands. It’s packed with tips that only a local knows!
Facilities at Zuid-Kennemerland National Park
The main visitor’s centre at Zuid-Kennemerland National Park is located right at the park’s main entrance, on the Zeeweg near Bloemendaal aan Zee. This excellent and newly remodelled centre (known in Dutch as the Bezoekerscentrum) should be your first stop on any visit to Zuid-Kennemerland National Park.
On site you’ll find lots of information, with permanent exhibits about the dunes, the local plants, and animals. There’s also revolving temporary exhibitions too, about a variety of topics (though always related to the National Park!). Elsewhere in the visitor’s centre, there’s an organic café and restaurant, which can also supply picnic baskets if you’d prefer to eat in the wild environment nearby.
And of course, the visitor’s centre also offers bicycle hire, helping you get around the dunes just that much quicker. They have well-priced options for adults, children, and tandems as well.
Things to do at Zuid-Kennemerland National Park
So, what exactly is there to see and do in such a fascinating and beautiful environment? Read on to discover the best things to do at Zuid-Kennemerland National Park!
1. Walking & Hiking
Naturally, a large and beautiful environment like Zuid-Kennemerland National Park is the perfect spot to do some hiking or walking, immersing yourself in the splendour of nature. One great family-friendly option is the 1.7-kilometre Koepelberg Duin en Kruidberg, which meanders through inner dune forests and low vegetation starting from Duin en Kruidberg.
During certain times of the year (September to February), bison are a common sight in the park. And the best hike to see them is the Bison Route, a 7-kilometre loop starting from either Noordduinen or Wurmerveld. And finally, if you’ve got the stamina for a longer day hike, the 10-kilometre Cremer route traverses the entire park from east to west and back again. It’s a great way to really see how the dune landscape shifts and changes with the distance from the sea!
2. Cycling
Cyclists will also find plenty to love here at Zuid-Kennemerland National Park. There’s an extensive network of cycle paths across the dunes and surrounding areas, allowing for a wide range of exploration and discovery. Be sure to stop at the visitor’s centre first to pick up a map and plan a route! Some of the best routes are on the eastern side of the national park, exploring the grounds of various manor houses.
Also strongly recommended is the South Route, which loops for 16 kilometres around the southern park, starting from the visitor’s centre through a variety of terrain. There’s also a sister route looping around the northern half of the park (also starting from the visitor’s centre). It’s much longer, at 24 kilometres, but the extra effort is well worth it!
3. Explore the grand country houses
Speaking of grand country houses, one of the most unusual features at Zuid-Kennemerland National Park is the collection of luxurious estates that were built by wealthy merchants along the park’s eastern border during the Golden Age. These large houses have extensive gardens, with local flora and fauna attached, plus interesting buildings, follies, sculpture parks, orangeries, and much more.
Chief among these is the imposing Koningshof manor house, and the nearby Elswout with its many canals and beautiful orangery. Duin en Kruidberg at the northern end of the park, is also well worth a visit.
4. Take a Thijsse Tour
As mentioned earlier, one of the original driving forces behind the establishment of the National Park was biologist Jacobus Pieter Thijsse, who lived and taught in nearby Bloemendaal. His memory is everywhere in the National Park, with many things named both by him and in his honour as well. One highly recommended way to engage with Thijsse’s legacy is on a paid guided tour, which run several times per year. Both hiking and cycling options are available, but tickets are generally limited and get purchased quickly – so if you’re interested be sure to keep an eye out!
5. Swim at the beach
Of course, it wouldn’t be a waterfront national park without somewhere to swim, and naturally Zuid-Kennemerland is no different. Year-round swimming is available at the ‘t Wed dune lake near the Koevlak entrance, though water quality is only monitored during the official swimming season (May 1-October 30).
Final words
Overall, Zuid-Kennemerland is a fantastic and beautiful national park. With such a fascinating variety of landscapes, it’s well worth a visit when you’re in the area!
