Sallandse Heuvelrug National Park - Haarle

Between Nijverdal and Holten lies one of the largest contiguous heathland areas in Western Europe: Sallandse Heuvelrug National Park. The landscape was formed during the penultimate ice age, when glaciers pushed the sand up to form what are now the hills of the Holterberg, Haarlerberg, Noetselerberg and Koningsbelt.

The park consists of rolling heathland, forests and valleys with streams. The differences in height are striking by Dutch standards; in some places you can see for miles across the purple heathland or through the jagged pine trees. It is precisely this variety that makes the Heuvelrug particularly rich in species. In spring, crowberry and wild myrtle bloom, later dominated by shrubby and heath heather. The forests are home to sessile oak, juniper and Scots pine.

The area is also special in terms of fauna. Badgers, roe deer and pine martens live here, as do numerous birds. With a bit of luck, you may catch a glimpse of the black grouse, one of the rare inhabitants of this area. Partly because of such vulnerable species, the Sallandse Heuvelrug was granted National Park status in 2004, in recognition of its exceptional natural values and varied landscape.

There is plenty of variety for cyclists and walkers: open plains, steep paths and dark forests. No two moments are the same. And if you stand still for a moment, all you can hear is the wind, birds and silence.