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Category:Limburg

De Maasduinen National Park

An elongated ridge of sand in northern Limburg covers the area between the Maas River and the German border. De Maasduinen National Park lies between Nijmegen and Venlo and is about three kilometers wide and twenty kilometers long. The nature reserve is characterized by forests, heathlands, fens, lakes and shifting sands. You can discover a wealth of flora and fauna in the area. Only the fish are scarce because the fens do not contain enough nutrients.

  • Maasduinen Nationaal Park is the longest strecht of river dunes in Holland.
  • Get active and go for a hike, a horseback ride or a mountain bike tour.
  • Combine your visit to the Maasduinen with a boat tour of the Meuse or a stroll through the gardens of Arcen Castle.
Address:
Bosserheide 3e
5855EA Well
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The longest river dunes belt in the Netherlands

De Maasduinen National Park is the longest belt of river dunes in the Netherlands. You see a variety of  shifting sands, ponds and beautiful heathlands in the areas De Hamert and Bergerheide. Beavers, foxes, bats, toads, lizards, snakes and countless birds can be found in the area. With a little luck you will also see cranes in the spring and/or autumn. The nature reserve is managed by sheep, goats and galloways, a breed of cattle from Scotland that doesn't have horns.

You can combine your visit to the nature reserve with one of the many attractions nearby. The castle gardens of Castle Arcen, a cruise on the Meuse, the Arcen Thermal Baths and the oldest city in the Netherlands, Nijmegen, are within a half hour drive from De Maasduinen.

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Mountain biking, horseback riding and camping

De Maasduinen National Park is well equipped for both recreational visitors and sports enthusiasts. You can make magnificent hikes and biking trips, and occasionally watch the wildlife from a bird hide. Sports enthusiasts can try out three mountain bike trails stretching for dozens of kilometers through the rolling countryside.

It is also possible to fully immerse in nature and set up a tent at the nature camping ground. There are even special areas reserved for scouting and youth groups. Ask for the conditions, routes, maps and other information at the visitor centers in Afferden, Well and Wellerlooi.

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The Netherlands has no fewer than 40 nature reserves, 21 of which are National Parks and 20 National Landscapes.

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