Nationaal Park Zuid-Kennemerland

Today, my roommate and I were lead on an adventure by our sportiest manager, through Zuid-Kennemerland National Park to the beach at Bloemendaal. We left from the hostel at around 1.30pm, swimming costumes under our clothes, after filling up on bread and krentenmik. We had previously cycled past the national park, but had not yet ventured inside, so it was a great opportunity to go with someone who knew so much about the area (after growing up there!) to learn a bit about it ourselves and to ensure that we didn't get lost - or trampled by bison...

Hello I'm on a bike

The National Park falls within the municipalities of Bloemendaal, Velsen, and Zandvoort, covering around 38 square kilometers, and was established as a protected area in 1995. The marking feature of the park are the sand dunes, rich in lime these also allow the growth of several other rare plant species, making the park attractive for visitors as well as attracting a wide variety of birds. In addition to deer, squirrels, hedgehogs, rabbits, foxes, highland cattle, Shetland ponies, wild horses, and koniks, the park is well known for hosting giant fluffy Eurasian Bison (or wisents), which obviously I was very keen to spot. 

dunes

bos & duinen

bird lake

Hello team

After around an hour and a half of cycling through stunning (although bison-less) views, we arrived at the very sunny Bloemendaal beach and headed straight for the favourite beach bar, Rapa Nui, for a beer (and later food).

Bloemendaal aan zee

Rapa Nui

yet more food

forever eating

A few hours later we decided it was time to get back to the hostel (to prevent ordering yet more food), this time heading through the Middenduin (middle dunes). Separated from the South dunes by a main road, this area was filled with more open dunes, wildflower fields, and forest, as well as local residencies and a water tower.

superior photography of my room mate

Pleased to be home after a successful round-trip, now sun-burned we were back to our usual cozy drinking spots at the bar planning our next trip to the dunes (to find some bison!), and picking out a dessert to try to make this week. Tot volgende keer!

little bit burned