The cycling routes on Vlieland lead from the village through the woods to the polders, the mudflats and the sand plain in the west.
Past the duck decoys: in the woods around the village you cycle to the historic Oude Kooi.
Heading west: on the way to the Posthuys you pass the bird-rich Kroon's Polders.
The Vliehors: beyond the Posthuys lies the sand plain of the Vliehors; on weekdays part of it is a military training area.
Birdwatching: leave your bike in Bomenland and walk to the bird hide on the Dodemansbol.
13 Nature reserves
By bike you can reach 13 nature reserves on Vlieland, from quiet dune valleys to the open mudflats.
Posthuiswad: on the Wadden side you see the tides and the life of the mudflats up close.
Nieuwe Kooi: a hidden duck decoy in the woods in the middle of the island.
Lange Paal: woods, dunes and cranberry fields in the middle of Vlieland.
Valley of Malgum: a quiet and picturesque dune area in the west.
Noordoosthoek: the rugged easternmost tip of the island.
Bomenland
Bomenland is the oldest pine forest on the island and offers a unique mix of nature, tranquillity and impressive views. Here you can walk among coniferous and deciduous trees, spot special birds and enjoy the silence of this remarkable part of Vlieland. What can you expect at Bomenland? - Varied forest landscape: The ...
The Oude Kooi is a special cultural-historical monument on Vlieland. This duck decoy tells the story of a centuries-old method of hunting and nature management. What can you expect at the Oude Kooi on Vlieland? - Historic heritage: The Oude Kooi was created in 1898 as a duck decoy. Using a pond and four catching pipes, ...
The Kroon’s Polders form a unique nature reserve in the western part of Vlieland, near the Posthuys and the vast sandplain of the Vliehors. What makes the Kroon’s Polders so special? - Four different polders: Three of the polders are brackish (salt and fresh water), while one contains fresh water because it is ...
Discover a diverse natural landscape filled with forest, dunes, cranberry fields, and cultural history, located in the heart of Vlieland. What to expect in the Lange Paal forest? - Unique forest from the 1930s: Lange Paal is a man-made forest planted in the 1930s to prevent sand drifts. Today, it offers a lush contrast to ...
A climb of the Vuurboetsduin is an absolute must during your stay on Vlieland. Why a visit to the Vuurboetsduin should not be missed - Highest dune of the Wadden Islands: At 45 metres above sea level, the Vuurboetsduin is the highest dune on the Dutch Wadden Islands and even the third highest dune in all of the ...
The Nieuwe Kooi is a hidden freshwater pond in the middle of the forest on Vlieland. It was dug at the end of the 19th century as the island's second duck decoy, but as far as is known it was never used to catch ducks. What can you expect at the Nieuwe Kooi? - A decoy that never caught: On 22 December 1892, two men from ...
The IJsbaan (ice rink) is a shallow freshwater pond on the edge of Oost-Vlieland, which has been part of village life on Vlieland for more than a century. In a hard winter, islanders strap on their skates here, while the rest of the year it is a quiet spot full of life. What can you expect at the IJsbaan? - Skating on ...
The Valley of Malgum is a quiet and picturesque dune area in the west of Vlieland. What can you expect in the Valley of Malgum? - Varied landscape: Walk or cycle along winding paths, open plains, dunes and wet peat areas. The area is rich in unique flora and fauna and radiates a soothing tranquillity. - Birdlife up close: ...
