On this webpage, you will find more information about things to do, sights to see, and how to plan your visit to the National Park. You will also find details about the Visitor Center De Kennemerduinen.
We wish you a pleasant stay in the National Park!
National Park Zuid-Kennemerland is an international protected area (Natura 2000 area) where plants, animals, and humans feel welcome. The National Park forms a natural connection between the city of Haarlem and the beach with luxurious country estates, wet dune valleys, sand drifts and beautiful coastal landscapes. We make the invisible visible, and the ordinary special, and surprise you with rich cultural history and endless beauty and diversity of coastal nature. At least 40% of all plant and animal species of the Netherlands live in the continuously changing dune landscapes and forests: from special small flowers, like rare orchids and bog-star, to large grazers like the wisents, wild horses, Scottish highlanders and roe deer.
To ensure that also future generations will be able to enjoy this amazing area, National Park Zuid-Kennemerland works already for years on sustainable nature management and development. Although located in a very densely populated area, the National Park contains three nature bridges crossing two busy roads and one railway, to connect the separated habitats and therefore support animals both big and small to migrate over a larger area. A further example is the use of large grazers to effectively manage the overgrowth of vegetation.
In the different landscapes you can see the history of the region and the National Park. In the east, on the border of the Randstad urban area, you will find several beautiful country estates. Heading west, you pass through the dunes with a varied mosaic of mossy patches, scrubland, flower-rich grasslands, and forests towards the youngest dunes along the North Sea coast.
In the 17th century the economy peaked, and rich merchants from Amsterdam invested in estates to escape the stinking city during the summer months. This is how Zuid-Kennemerland became the cradle of country estates, each with its own unique style and park-like gardens. You can find extraordinary trees and plants here, like the tinsen plants*’, which bloom lavishly in spring. Birds like the Eurasian nuthatch live here, as well as several bat olonies. The most well-known of the country estates include Elswout, Duin en Kruidberg, and Koningshof.
* Stinsen plants are a group of ornamental plants that were historically cultivated around old estates, castles, and manor houses in the Netherlands
Many rare animal and plant species live in this extraordinary dune landscape. Bog-stars bloom, Queen of Spain fritillary butterflies flutter, Roman snails crawl, and nightingales and woodlarks sing. Large grazers such as Scottish highlanders, wild horses, roe deer and a herd of wisent are scattered throughout the National Park. The network of biking and hiking paths take you past several dune lakes, panoramic views, and several war monuments.
In recent years, a lot of work has been done on the development of a dynamic dune landscape. New small dunes are constantly forming, blown by the wind against the foredunes, and in some places, they ‘walk’ inland through a trench. Take off your shoes and walk barefoot through the sand or take a refreshing dip in the sea.
Are you here for a day out, or just a short hour visit? There is plenty to do in the National Park: read a book, dip your toes in the water, take photos, go on a treasure hunt, or simply enjoy the peace and space.
You can go on your own or follow a marked route. The park offers various marked routes, ranging from 1 to 16 kilometers. Along the way, there are plenty of opportunities to catch your breath at one of the country estates, at the Duincafé near the visitor center, on a bench, or at one of the other eateries around the National Park. An audio tour is available for the popular walk from the visitor center through the Kennemer Dunes to the beach.
In the National Park, you can enjoy cycling. There are both short and longer routes. The elevation changes of the dunes are a challenge, with fantastic views as a reward. At the visitor center, you can purchase the cycling guide “With the Wind in Your Hair”, which takes you along the highlights of the National Park.
The main entrances of the National Park are easily accessible by public transport and car. Check your favorite travel app or read more on this webpage (Dutch).
There is paid parking at Visitor Center De Kennemerduinen and the other mainentrances. More information and rates (Dutch).
Powered vehicles are not allowed in the entire National Park, except for bicycles with pedal assistance up to a maximum speed of 25 km/h (with the exception of electric mobility vehicles for disabled).
Most of the walking paths in the National Park are unpaved, and there are regularly steep slopes and soft sand sections. For people with mobility issues who still want to enjoy the beautiful nature of the dune area, a sand wheelchair can be rented at Visitor Center De Kennemerduinen. There is a special route for the use of this wheelchair from the visitor center. This route is 2.8 kilometers
long and takes about an hour. For more information about the route and rental of this wheelchair, please contact the reception of the visitor center.
To protect the fragile nature and avoid inconvenience to other visitors, dogs are only welcome in a few places in the National Park. Read more (Dutch).
In and around National Park Zuid-Kennemerland, you will find numerous hospitality and recreation entrepreneurs who may call themselves hosts of the National Park. As entrepreneurs in this beautiful area, they share their knowledge and love for the surroundings with their guests.
Booking of rental bikes in advance is recommended
Dune lake ‘t Wed is an official swimming area where you can swim between sunrise and sunset. From April 1 to October 1, there are floating lines to indicate the depth, and the water quality is monitored. For more information about the water quality, visit www.zwemwater.nl. Swimming in ‘t Wed is at your own risk; there is no supervision.
Visitor Center De Kennemerduinen is the green entrance to National Park Zuid-Kennemerland. Here you will find our information desk and shop with sustainable products, an exhibition, and the Duincafé with a spacious, sunny terrace. Admission is free.
