The AWD is one of the largest dune areas in the Netherlands; a large part is used for the collection of drinking water for Amsterdam. It has a considerable landscape variety (from open sand to woodland) and a rich flora and fauna. The area is open to the public for hiking, including off the paths; therefore, this area is a unique opportunity for nature lovers to explore this typical Dutch landscape.

Location: Zandvoort, Bloemendaal, Noordwijkerhout, Noordwijk

Size: 3500 hectare (incl. 530 ha woodland)

Ownership and management: Waternet

Culture & History


The AWD has developed as part of the Younger Dunes and was formed between the 11th and 18th century. In fact, these dunes lie on top of the Older Dune Landscape. The remnants of the latter can still be found in the SE-part of the area (Sasbergen, 't Heitje).

Prior to 1850, the dunes were not yet intensively used; however, there was hunting and poaching, there was cattle and there were some farms. In the northern part locals from Zandvoort had many potato fields in dune valleys. In 1851 a dune water company was founded with English capital. The water was collected from of the dunes near Vogelenzang and transported to Amsterdam through a large pipeline. The water collection ensured that the area was protected against the construction of roads and residential areas. On the other hand, the water collection has had a negative impact on the dunes: the ground water level dropped, leaving dune slacks without water; and since 1957 nutrient rich river water was brought in to increase the production. Since 1975 the river water is being purified before infiltration. From the important water flora and fauna it can now be concluded that the infiltration canals are among the cleanest water systems of the country. In 1990 it was formally decided that nature management is the second main task for Waterleidingbedrijf Amsterdam, next to drinking water collection.

Remnants of human use
Many old agricultural fields are still visible (sometimes even with their ditches). Also, various bunker complexes from the Second World War are still intact (most offer winter shelters to bats).There pine forests have been planted on deserted dune fields and on sand deposits in order to control sand drift (between 1900-1945).

Nature & Landscape

Fortunately, the area has kept its ecological relationship with the sea. On the beach, small embryo dunes may form to a certain extent, usually only surviving until the next major storm.

The dune landscape is partially determined by old mobile sand complexes and blow-outs in the outer dunes, by large valleys in the middle dunes and by the remnants of old mobile dunes in the east. Due to the many excavations (for the water collection) much of the original landscape has disappeared, but in the south the dunes are to a large extent still intact.At the western side the vegetation is low, while higher scrub and woodland increase towards the east, especially in sheltered valleys. The abundant Sea buckthorn scrub offers shelter, nesting opportunity and food to numerous birds and mammals. The area hosts many soil gradients from dry to wet and from rich to poor in lime content.

Flora & Fauna
As a result of the variety in landscape, vegetation and soils the area has a rich flora and fauna, and in particular a rich insect life. The terrain exists of forest en brushwood, open areas with blowing sands, moist and swampy valleys and dry plains. On places exposed to sea spray typical species like Marram grass, Sea rocket and Sea sow thistle can be found. In the more sheltered places and the inner dune forests plants like Honeysuckle, Hedge garlic and Bracken can be found. In total over 660 plant species occur, of which 27 can not be found elsewhere in the Netherlands. The major part is covered by mosses, grassland and low shrubs, often dominated by Privet and Sea buckthorn on the dry slopes and by Creeping willow in the valleys. Calluna heath can be found in the SE-part ('t Heitje). In sheltered areas shrubs develop, with Hawthorn and Oak, and willows and birch in the valleys. Many wet meadows have become rich in flowers, with sedges, violets, orchids and Grass of Parnassus. The area is also important for mushrooms (970 species, i.e. almost 25% of the Dutch mycoflora).

Every year ca. 100 bird species breed in the area, including dune birds like Stonechat and Lesser whitethroat and reed birds like Bluethroat and Sedge warbler. The AWD is a core area for the Sand lizard; it is relatively abundant, so other dune areas could perhaps be recolonised from the AWD. Other abundant species are: Red fox, Roe Fallow deer, especially because of the absence of shooting. Small predators (Ermine, Weasel and Polecat) are rare. The number of rabbits, once a key species for the dunes, has dramatically dropped as a result of the VHS-virus in the nineties. Bats, using World War II bunkers as their winter shelter, hunt in large numbers above the ponds and the canals during summer. Due to the abundance of water the AWD is particularly rich on dragonflies and also the rare Water shrew has been frequently observed.

Visitor centre: Visitor centre De Oranjekom (near entrance Oase), 1e Leyweg 4, 2114 BH Vogelenzang. Open: Tue-Thu 9:30-16h, Sat-Sun 9-17h (closed Mon, Fri). Tel. 023 5233595.

Nature management
Water collection and nature management go hand in hand with the manager (GW). The nature management in the water collection areas especially deals with fauna, mowing, woodlands and grazing. See also the information on the AWD in de Coastal Guide on Dune Management.

Visitor Info

Access: Entry tickets are available at the four main entrances (ticket machines) and at some of the catering establishments nearby.

Hiking: At each main entrance you can start following marked trails (green, yellow and blue).

Cycling: not allowed.

Water recreation: Because the AWD is a water catchment area, water recreation is not possible.

Dogs: not allowed.

Horses: The special bridle paths may only be used with a special permit which can be obtained at the Visitor centre (one must have a bridle certificate); this costs ca. 35 euro.

Catering establishments: There are catering establishments, incl. toilets near the entrances Oase, Panneland and Ruigenhoek.

Events: The area does not host any large public events.

Transportation

Train: from train station Heemstede-Aerdenhout: bus line 90 direction Den Haag; bus stop Waterleiding (near entrance Oase), stop Bekslaan (30 min. walk to entrance Panneland), stop Köhne (5 min. walk to entrance De Zilk) or stop Café Geerlings (10 min. walk to entrance Ruigenhoek);or bus line 80 direction Zandvoort; bus stop Waterleiding-Nieuw Unicum (near entrance Zandvoortselaan).

Car: There are parking areas near the entrances Zandvoortselaan, Oase, Panneland and De Zilk. (Paid parking).

Addresses

Waternet, P.O.Box 94370, 1090 GJ Amsterdam, Visitor address: Spaklerweg 16, 1096 BA Amsterdam, Telefoon: 0900 93 94, Website: www.waternet.nl

Nature and Terrain management: Vogelenzangseweg 21, 2114 BA Vogelenzang, Tel. 023 5233636, fax 023 5281460.