Zoom-Kalmthoutse Heide National Park
A varied landscape
The Zoom-Kalmthoutse Heide border park is known for its varied landscapes, from vast heathlands to marshes and forests. The heather turns a beautiful purple in late summer, while the surrounding forests provide calm, shady places to relax and unwind. The fens are an important habitat for amphibians and insects. The dynamic landscape perfectly combines the beauty and tranquillity of nature.
Area of many birds
The Dutch section of the park is quieter than the Belgian section, but the nature is no less beautiful. The Zoom-Kalmthoutse Heide possesses both wet and dry heath. Especially bird lovers will have a great time here. The hawk, falcon, stonechat, tree pipit and nightjar are prevalent in this area. Birds such as bitterns and spoonbills are regularly spotted on the fens and the open heathland. There are several bird-watching huts in the park, where you can quietly observe the rich birdlife, such as all the Dutch species of woodpeckers.
More flora and fauna
In addition to birds, the park is the habitat for an impressive variety of flora and fauna. Plants such as marsh gentian and sundews flourish in the wetlands, while heather carpets the heathland in a lovely shade of purple in late summer. Mammals such as roe deer, foxes and squirrels are often spotted in the forests of De Zoom-Kalmthoutse Heide. The park is also home to rare insects and amphibians such as dragonflies and frogs, which benefit from all the water and varied vegetation.
Cycling and hiking on the heathland
The park offers various walking routes that meander through the heathland and forests, for example past the bird-watching huts on the fens. You can also cycle on well-marked trails in the Zoom-Kalmthoutse Heide National Park. There are challenging cycle paths for the more adventurous and special routes and nature play areas for families. Visitors can go on guided excursions to learn more about the park. For instance, children aged 13 to 17 have been gathering together at Junior Ranger Camp for several years. They spend a week learning all about the flora and fauna around them.
Nature reserves in the Netherlands
The Netherlands has no fewer than 40 nature reserves, 21 of which are National Parks and 20 National Landscapes.
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