13 Nature reserves
Around the village of Vlieland lie 13 walking areas, each with its own character. From the bird paradise of Kroon's Polders to the spectacular sandflats of the Vliehors.
Vlieland is the quietest and most car-free of all the Wadden Islands. Those who walk here have the island largely to themselves. The routes lead through a surprisingly varied landscape, from a peaceful pine forest to an endless expanse of sand that feels like the Sahara of the far north.
Below are the walking routes on Vlieland, every path leads to peace, space and a different face of this remarkable island. Please note: the Vliehors is partly a military training ground on weekdays.
Around the village of Vlieland lie 13 walking areas, each with its own character. From the bird paradise of Kroon's Polders to the spectacular sandflats of the Vliehors.

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 forest consists of pines, spruces and deciduous trees ...

The Vliehors is one of the most impressive and unique nature areas of Vlieland. What makes the Vliehors so special? - Gigantic sand plain: This vast sandy area covers around 24 square kilometres and is affectionately called the Sahara of the North. The immense open space and sweeping views give you the feeling of being in a completely different world. - Military training ...

The Posthuiswad on Vlieland is an impressive nature reserve where you can experience the power of the tides and the richness of the Wadden Sea up close. What makes the Posthuiswad so special? -

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 grasshopper warblers, bluethroats, nightingales, ...

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 the open dune landscapes of Vlieland. - ...

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 Netherlands – only the dunes of Schoorl and Zoutelande are ...

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? -

Vlieland has 13 spots with an exceptional outlook over the Wadden Sea, the North Sea or the island's landscape. Below are the finest viewpoints.

The birdwatching hide De Vogelkieker is located in the second Kroon’s Polder on Vlieland and is the perfect place to admire birds up close without disturbing them. Here you come face to face with the rich birdlife of the Wadden Sea. What can you expect at birdwatching hide De Vogelkieker? -

The viewing platform Bomenland is located on the northern edge of the Bomenland woodland area and offers a wonderful view over the dune valleys on the western side of Vlieland, all the way to the North Sea. What makes this viewpoint special? -

The birdwatching hide Dodemansbol is located on the edge of the forest of Bomenland and offers a magnificent view over the salt marshes and the tidal Posthuiswad (flats). What can you expect at the birdwatching hide Dodemansbol? -

A short climb takes you to a viewing tower that offers a breathtaking panorama over Vlieland. Why visit the viewing tower? - Hidden gem in the forest: The tower is tucked away in the greenery, close to the water facility of Vitens, making it a surprising discovery during a walk or bike ride. - Safe climb: The steel spiral staircase leads you up to a platform that isn’t ...

The viewpoint Kikkerbult, also known as Kooispleklid, is one of the most beautiful spots to experience the nature of Vlieland. What can you expect at the Kikkerbult? - Panoramic View: This high dune top offers a unique view over both the North Sea and the Wadden Sea, with the impressive valley of the Kooisplek in between. With a bit of luck, you may spot birds bathin ...

At the edge of the fourth Kroon’s Polder, along the dike by the Wadden Sea, you will find a special birdwatching screen. A staircase leads you to this quiet viewpoint, where you can admire the birdlife of the polders in complete tranquillity. What can you expect at the birdwatching screen? - Unique View: From behind the screen you look through special viewing windows ...
» View our complete 'see & do' list with many more museums, attractions, monuments and other places of interest.