Wandelnetwerk Noord-Holland

High dune tops with fantastic views, forests with centuries-old oaks and the lovely sound of singing nightingales in the spring. That is the Heerenduinen estate in IJmuiden at its best. The hilly estate in the inland dunes is an oak dune forest, which is rare in the Netherlands. The irregular shapes of the trunks and branches of the old oaks give them a mysterious appearance. These varied deciduous forests are home to many songbirds, small mammals and insects. Between April and July is the best time to hear the birdsong during your walk. There’s a good chance of encountering fallow deer, foxes, a herd of Scottish highlanders or Konik horses at any time of the year.

• The Natuurmonumenten’s (Dutch nature conservation organisation) Heerenduinen walking route (green) in IJmuiden is in the shape of a double loop. This route is marked in one direction through Park Zuid-Kennemerland. You first walk on narrow paths in an easterly direction to the Sparrenberg, a sandy part of dune where sand lizards warm themselves in sunny weather. The landscape opens up more in the western part of the route. The walk goes past a Second World War bunker, part of the German Atlantic Wall and now a good place for Daubenton’s bats to spend the winter.
• The Water Tower Route (red) connects the green corridor on the south side of the Heerenduinweg with the old town of IJmuiden, the North Sea Canal and the impressive lock complex. You’ll journey over the embankment of the old railway line to the port. Going along quiet streets, you’ll reach the striking 42-metre-high water tower.