10 Biggest Dutch National Parks
There are 20 Dutch national parks in total ranging in size from 17 to 370 square kilometers. The following are the 10 biggest national parks in Netherlands with brief overview of each nature reserve and what’s on offer for visitors…
#1- OOSTERSCHELDE NATIONAL PARK
- Size: 370 km2
- Province: Zeeland
Oosterschelde (‘Eastern Scheldt’) is by far the largest of the Dutch national parks and is unique in that the majority of the reserve’s area is comprised of water rather than land, which makes sailing a key activity for visitors. Formerly an open inlet of the North Sea, the Oosterschelde is now a contained body of water due to the construction of dikes and dams under the Deltaworks flood protection project. The surrounding landscape is a mix of salt marshes, mud flats, silts and dunes. Activities in the reserve include cycling, hiking, bird watching, sailing, boat tours and special events.
#2- DRENTSCHE AA NATIONAL PARK
- Size: 106 km2
- Province: Drenthe
At the heart of this national park is the Drenthe Aa creek meandering through it. Only a third of the park’s 10,600 hectares is nature reserve, the rest is farmland and residential areas. Still the landscape has much to offer visitors including a dense network of walking and cycling routes through fields, pastures, woodlands and heathland. More information.
#3- DE WEERRIBBEN-WIEDEN NATIONAL PARK
- Size: 105 km2
- Province: Overijssel
Weerribben-Wieden is the third largest of the Dutch national parks and boasts a diverse landscape of rivers, lakes, woods. It includes the largest peat bog in western Europe. There is lots to do here including walking, cycling, canoeing, rowing and bird watching. Check the special events happening in the Geithoorn area. Parts of the Weerribben-Wieden were featured in an episode of the popular American reality competition TV show ‘Amazing Race‘. The park is approximately 75 minutes from Amsterdam by car.
#4- UTRECHTSE HEUVELRUG NATIONAL PARK
- Size: 100 km2
- Province: Utrecht
Utrechtse Heuvelrug national park is located 25 kilometers east of the city of Utrecht. It offers walking, hiking and cycling routes including a 3.5km path accessible to wheelchairs and strollers. The park encompasses a ridge that was formed during the last ice age and is surrounded by the largest forest in the Randstad. Ornate palaces and historic estates dot the landscape. Activities include horseback riding, bird watching and assorted tours.
#5- DE BIESBOSCH NATIONAL PARK
- Size: 71 km2
- Province: South Holland, North Brabant
De Biesbosch is the only Dutch national park located (partially) in South Holland. At the heart of the reserve is the largest freshwater tidal area in Europe, where two major rivers – De Rijn (the Rhine which originates in Germany) and De Maas (the Meuse which originates in France) – converge. The estuary is covered in a jungle of plants and trees and numerous creeks, streams and tributaries crisscross in it. Hiking, cycling, canoeing and kayaking are popular activities in De Biesbosch.
#6- DRENTS-FRIESWOLD NATIONAL PARK
- Size: 61 km2
- Province: Drenthe, Friesland
Drents-Frieswold national park encompasses the second largest woodland and heathland area in the Netherlands. 3 high towers offer aerial views of different portions of the reserve. There are walking, cycling and horseback riding trails for visitors to explore the park.
#7- LAUWERSMEER NATIONAL PARK
- Size: 60 km2
- Province: Groningen, Friesland
The Lauwersmeer Dutch national park includes a former inlet of the Wadden Sea that was dammed in 1969 for flood protection reasons. The nature reserve has become a stopping ground for millions of migrating birds every spring and fall. The park has walking routes and offers special activities. The Lauwersmeer National Park is a 45-minute drive from the city of Groningen.
#8- SCHIERMONNIKOOG NATIONAL PARK
- Size: 54 km2
- Province: Friesland
Schiermonnikoog is the northern-most of the Dutch national parks and encompasses the entire Wadden Island of the same name. The wind-swept landscape includes dunes, beaches, salt marshes and mud flats. There are walking and cycling routes, prime places for bird watching and nature treasure hunts. The park is accessible year-round by ferry from Lauwersoog.
#9- HOGE VELUWE NATIONAL PARK
- Size: 54 km2
- Province: Gelderland
The Hoge Veluwe and Veluwezoom (below) Dutch national parks are located near each other in the center-east of the Netherlands, north of Arnhem. The Hoge Veluwe nature reserve consists of forests, heathlands, grasslands and sand drifts and is home to a wide range of animals, birds and plant life. In addition to walking, hiking and cycling, there are special events and activities. The park is also home to the Kroller-Muller Museum which has a sizeable collection of contemporary art by international and Dutch artists as Mondriaan, Monet, Picasso, Renoir and Van Gogh. Hoge Veluwe is a 45-minute drive from Utrecht.
#10- VELUWEZOOM NATIONAL PARK
- Size: 50 km2
- Province: Gelderland
Veluwezoom is the 10th largest of the Dutch national parks and is easily accessible from the city of Arnhem. Here you can walk, run, cycle and mountain bike along set paths through a landscape of forests, heather fields and wide flood plains. The park also has guided tours.
Related information…