The woodland on Vlieland: from drifting sand to walking paths

Woodland between dune and mudflat

From the village, the Postweg runs past several woodland complexes. At Bomenland, the road leads through the forest. The VVV notes around 280 hectares of woodland on Vlieland.

First securing the sand

Oost-Vlieland was threatened by drifting sand. Around 1870, Rijkswaterstaat began planting marram grass to counter sand drift. The planting of the first larger woods began in 1903, on the advice of Staatsbosbeheer.

An older patch of woodland lies near the Oude Kooi. This was planted in 1898 alongside the duck decoy. A catching pipe has been restored, showing how the decoy worked.

Bomenland

Bomenland was planted between 1903 and 1906 with pines and spruces. In the woods, older conifers are gradually making way for deciduous trees. The VVV describes a 3.5-kilometre walking route there, marked with yellow bands.

Walking and cycling

Staatsbosbeheer provides information on routes and access to nature. Cycle paths are accessible for wheelchair users, but they can be narrow and the island is hilly. During the breeding season, local access rules apply.

The woodland is not an unchanged landscape. It was created partly to protect the island against drifting sand, and continues to change through growth and management.