Big three with a bench in the Loonse and Drunense dunes
© Willeke Machiels via VisitBrabant
Category:Explore our national parks

Dunes of Loon and Drunen National Park

A piece of desert in Holland – that’s what Dunes of Loon and Drunen National Park is, right in the middle of the province of Noord-Brabant. One of Holland’s largest natural areas and the largest sand drift area in western Europe, these dunes formed around 10,000 years ago. The area known as the Brabant Sahara consists of around 30 square kilometres of drifting sand with a great diversity of plants and animals.

  • The vast sand drifts are among the largest in Western Europe.
  • Beautiful heathlands bloom and become carpets of purple in late summer.
  • Well-maintained walking and cycling paths through the dunes and forests.
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5071RC Udenhout

A Dutch desert

The province of North Brabant has its own desert. The Loonse and Drunense Duinen National Park forms one of the largest active sand drifts in Western Europe. The sand drifts are constantly changing due to wind and weather conditions, creating a landscape with a dynamic character. The drifting sand just needs a bit of wind to create breathtaking spectacles of nature. Don’t underestimate the changes in temperature, which can reach as high as 40 °C during the day in summer and drop to around freezing in the evening, hence the ‘Brabant Sahara’ nickname.

Flora in the Loonse and Drunense Duinen National Park

National Park 'Loonse en Drunense Duinen', famous for its sand dunes and heather fields

A special mix of plants have adapted to the dry, sandy terrain and thrive in this park. In addition to sand, the Dunes of Loon and Drunen also have many mosses and grasses. An interesting sight is the transition area where the pine forests and heather gradually merge with the shifting sands. Heather blooms in the heathlands and turns the fields a beautiful purple in late summer. Pines and oaks are dotted throughout the area, creating a varied and lively landscape. The vegetation also provides shaded areas and variation in the ecosystem, benefiting the biodiversity of the park.

Rich in fauna and unusual animal species

The Loonse and Drunense Duinen National Park is a haven for various animals. For example, deer and foxes live here and can often be spotted in the wooded areas. You will also find unique species such as the sand lizard, which has an ideal habitat thanks to the warm sandy plains. The park is also a paradise for birdwatchers. Birds of prey, such as buzzards and hawks, use the open landscape as hunting grounds.

Activities in nature

Loonse and Drunense dunes

The Loonse and Drunense Duinen National Park offers plenty of recreational activities in nature. There are hiking, cycling and horse riding routes that take you through the most beautiful parts of the park. Hikers are in for a treat with the rugged, adventurous terrain and hiking excursions are organised throughout the year. For those looking for action and adventure, there are GPS tours, bridle paths and mountain bike trails that pass right through the sand and forests. Children can have fun in the large sandy areas and adventure playgrounds, so there's something for everyone.

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