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.
Oude Kooi
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 Meeuwenduinen (Seagull Dunes) on Vlieland form a unique nature reserve on the western side of the island, nestled between the North Sea and the Kroon’s Polders. What can you expect in the Meeuwenduinen? - Breeding ground for gulls and songbirds: In spring, black-headed gulls breed here, along with songbirds such as ...
The Northeast Corner of Vlieland, often called the Noordestoek or Noorderstoek by the islanders, is the easternmost part of the island. For many visitors, this spot is known as “going around the point.” It is a wild and unspoilt piece of nature where dunes, sea and beach meet. A walk to the eastern tip of Vlieland is a ...
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: ...
The Witte lid is a large, high dune on the eastern side of Vlieland, between the Fortweg and campsite Stortemelk. It is a quiet and rugged part of the island, where the top rewards you with a wonderful view. What can you expect at the Witte lid? - A dune with character: In the past, this area was also known as the ...
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 ...
