This walk will introduce you to the dune valleys and barren sand dunes of the Zeepeduinen before you explore the largest forest in Zeeland, Boswachterij Westerschouwen.
Distance: 13 km.
Time: 3h30.
Grade: Moderate.
Type: Circular.
Gps Track: Yes.
Route description: Yes.
Wheelchair: Not suitable.
Dog: Allowed.
Height gain: 127 meters.
Trail: 99% unpaved.
Marking: Walking nodes.
Hiking shoes recommended.
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Boswachterij Westerschouwen.
You leave the parking lot via the Duinenpath towards the Zeepeduinen, a varied dune area with dune valleys and bare sand dunes. In the Zeepeduinen there used to be a lot of wet dune valleys (natural dune lakes). In the course of time, many of them have grown close. A few years ago the top layer was excavated from four valleys. This means that there is now water in the valleys again. The ponds are now inhabited by natterjack toads, green frogs and small water salamanders. In this area you will certainly encounter Shetland ponies. Around a hundred ponies eat dune cane, saplings and tree bark and keep the area open. They also kicked the ground. This way the wind can get a grip on the sand and sand dunes can arise again. For example, sand bees and sand beetles live in the sand and helmet and sand sedge grow. You can enjoy all that beauty on a lookout point and on a viewing wall. Through a gate and you are in the largest forest of Zeeland, Boswachterij Westerschouwen. The forest was planted in the early 20th century in the context of job creation. The pine trees also had to capture the sand. A coniferous forest needs a lot of water, causing the surrounding dune to dry out. Moreover, such a forest - because there are only a few species of trees - is not rich in insects, herbs and birds. Here and there trees are cut down: in the empty spaces, trees (such as oak) grow automatically (or possibly helped by planting). At that time, the construction of deciduous trees such as oak, birch, walley and balsam poplar started. This has made it a mixed forest. You must definitely climb the lookout tower and the view is breathtaking. The Boswachterij is rich in birds. In the old tall pines you can nest buzzards and hawks. But you can also find butterflies, rabbits and countless birds such as pheasants. Deer, fallow deer and wild shetland ponies run in the dune area. Not enough of nature, the continuation of the walk now continues on the beautiful beach where the dunes and sea are the eye-catchers.
Download PDf for nodes to follow.
Some parts go through loose sand.
POI 1 - Zeepeduinen.
The Zeepeduinen are old dunes that are no longer near the sea. Over the years, the lime of shells and the salt from the sea has largely been washed out of the sand. As a result, other plants can grow than in the young dunes, such as orchids and all kinds of mosses. In the nature reserve you can find numerous typical dune plants, such as male price, mouse and dune violet. Shetland ponies graze the area and ensure that the vegetation remains varied. The animals open the dense turf, leaving loose sand on the surface and certain herbs can grow again. In larger open spaces, the wind sometimes blows the sand away to the groundwater and new humid dune valleys emerge, where rare plants such as orchids and parnassias can grow. In addition to the beautiful sturdy ponies you run the chance to encounter other large grazers during your walk. The name Zeepeduinen is a corruption of the Zeeland seepelen (= seep): the groundwater seeped from the dunes to the lower environment.
Nature monuments.
www.natuurmonumenten.nl
POI 2 - Boswachterij Westerschouwen.
Boswachterij Westerschouwen is now 330 hectares, but more than a hundred years ago there was still no forest to be seen. The Domanial Dunes, as the area was then called, was one large, dusty plain. Sheep and rabbits ate everything that was on plant growth, and without plants sand starts to drift. Around 1920 pines were planted and spray screens of willows and helmets were planted in the bar. Helmet likes to become overloaded with sand, grows rapidly and fixes the sand with her roots and stems. The Boswachterij Westerschouwen, the Meeuwenduinen, the Verklikkerduinen and the Vroongronden all fall under the Kop van Schouwen. Visitors can go to the Excursion Barn for area information. There are also various exhibitions. The excursion barn is open during the weekend and during the school holidays from 1.30 pm to 4.30 pm.
Staatsbosbeheer.
www.staatsbosbeheer.nl
