Bulbs District

The Bollenstreek ("Bulbs district") is dominated by sand dunes, bulb fields and rapidly expanding villages. The extensive bulb fields make the region one of the most colourful in the world, at least in spring. The most spectacular feature is the spring bloom starting in March with crocuses, daffodils and narcissi, followed by hyacinths and tulips in April until early May. In late summer there in another colourful peak, caused by the more restricted cultivation of gladioli, dahlias and some other flowers. Both the attractiveness of the bulb fields and the excellent beaches have made Noordwijk aan Zee a top tourism resort.

Dune landscape
The dunes were formed between 1000 and 1500 AD. Much of the dunes around Noordwijk had been planted with alien pines between 1915 and '40, but most pines died due to Pine-weevils and storms. Most important areas include:
Amsterdamse Waterleidingduinen (3400 ha): the main area for a nature experience. Entrance fee.
Noordwijk Noordduinen (600 ha): open dune with some remnants of the pine plantation; in the south a mobile dune area marks an active nature restoration project. Accessible on footpaths and some cycle paths. No fee.
Coepelduynen (135 ha): restricted access, but very nice cycle path to Katwijk. No fee, no dogs.

Older dune woodlands
The coastal landscape has to a great extent been determined by the formation of the first beach barrier dunes (with their Older Dunes), 2000-5000 years ago. Some examples have remained of the Older dune woodlands:
Nieuw-Leeuwenhorst (38 ha, N'hout): access only for card holders.
Estate of Leeuwenhorst (98 ha, between Noordwijk and N'hout, east to the Conference Centre): mostly accessible for hiking, no fee.
Estate of Warmond (22 ha, Herenweg, north to the village): the forest is accessible on footpaths, but the house (Huys te Warmont) can not be visited. Entrance ticket can be bought at the main entrance.
The estate Wassergeest (53 ha, Lisse) has a wet forest on a former beach plain.

Grasslands
Vosse- en Weerlanerpolder
Elsbroekerpolder
Hoogewegpolder

Wildlife
Wildlife in the region is abundant and there is a chance to see Rabbit and Red fox. In the bulb fields you may hear the song of the Skylark during spring and summer. In the grasslands Brown hare can be seen (as well as farmers shooting them during winter) and during spring and summer meadow birds (like Lapwing, Black-tailed godwit, Redshank, Oystercatcher) and many ducks.

Nature Centres
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.