Nature
De Maasduinen National Park
The longest belt of river dunes in the Netherlands
De Maasduinen at a glance
20 minby car
13.4 kmdistance
- Location
- municipality of Bergen, North Limburg
- Size
- over 4,500 hectares, over 20 kilometres long
- Starting point
- Jachthut Op den Hamer, Twistedenerweg 2, Wellerlooi
- Waymarks
- 17 walking routes with coloured posts
- Management
- municipality of Bergen, Het Limburgs Landschap, Staatsbosbeheer and private owners
River dunes along the Maas
De Maasduinen National Park lies on a long sandy ridge between the Maas and the German border, mostly in the municipality of Bergen. The park is more than 20 kilometres long, two to three kilometres wide on average and covers more than 4,500 hectares. This is the longest belt of river dunes in the Netherlands.
In the last Ice Age, a strong westerly wind blew sand from the Maas valley to the east bank. That is how the parabolic dunes formed: horseshoe-shaped dunes 15 to 25 metres high. Later the sand began to drift again and was fixed with conifer forest. Between the woods and the heath there are now fens, open drift sand and, near Well, the Reindersmeer, a former sand and gravel pit.
About the park on natuurparkenlimburg.nl (opens in a new tab)
The De Hamert estate
In the south, near Wellerlooi, lies the De Hamert estate of Het Limburgs Landschap: more than 1,000 hectares of woodland, heath and fens. This is where most of the park’s parabolic dunes are. On one of the crests lies the Vorstengraf, 25 metres wide and almost 3 metres high, one of the largest burial mounds in the Netherlands. From the mound you look out over the Pikmeeuwenwater, a fen with remnants of raised bog.
In spring and autumn, migrating cranes rest on fens such as the Heerenven; that is why the crane is in the park’s logo. Along the Twistedenerweg runs the Geldernsch-Nierskanaal, dug more than 200 years ago and, because of the difference in height with Germany, now a fast stream with steep banks. Kempen heath sheep and goats keep the heath open.
The De Hamert estate on limburgs-landschap.nl (opens in a new tab)
The Bergerbos and Bleijenbeek
In the north, near Afferden, lies the Bergerbos of Staatsbosbeheer: 561 hectares of river dunes, woodland and heath. From the lookout tower on the heath, you see the dunes roll away. In the woods lie nutrient-poor fens such as the Quin, the Zevenboomsven and the Esven, and at dusk the rare nightjar hunts here.
South of the Bergerbos stands the ruin of Bleijenbeek Castle. Building began shortly before 1300; in 1945 a bombardment destroyed the castle. Today bats fly here at dusk and beavers live in the moat. The ruin is open by appointment; at Paviljoen Bleijenbeek, one of the park’s visitor points, you will find information about the area.
Walking routes on natuurparkenlimburg.nl (opens in a new tab)
Tip from reception
Drive to Jachthut Op den Hamer in Wellerlooi, about twenty minutes, and park in car park P1. Take the blue route of 4 kilometres: it crosses the heath past the Vorstengraf and the war memorial. Afterwards, have a coffee in the Jachthut itself.
Reception team, Parkhotel Horst
Good to know
Four starting pointsThe visitor centre near Well, Jachthut Op den Hamer in Wellerlooi, and De Zevenboom and Paviljoen Bleijenbeek in Afferden. The park is long: choose the starting point nearest the part you want to see.
Waymarked routes17 walking routes with coloured posts, so you do not need a map. On De Hamert they range from 1 to 5 kilometres. Wear sturdy shoes: the dunes can be quite a climb.
With your dogDogs are welcome, usually on a lead. They may run free in two areas of more than 10 hectares: in the Bergerbos near Afferden and by the Eendenmeer in Nieuw-Bergen.
Grazers on the heathSheep, goats and Galloway cattle keep the heath open. They are still wild animals: keep at least 25 metres away from the herd.
Photos: Pim van Tend (CC BY-SA 4.0); Carelbullens (CC BY-SA 3.0 nl); via Wikimedia Commons. Dog photo: Haberdoedas via Unsplash.
Make a day of it
From the breakfast buffet to the river dunes of De Maasduinen, and back to the wellness at your hotel.
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Start the day at the breakfast buffet of Parkhotel Horst.
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A twenty-minute drive to Wellerlooi, then walk across the De Hamert estate to the Vorstengraf, one of the largest burial mounds in the Netherlands.
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Back in Horst, the indoor pool, the saunas and the wellness lounge are waiting for you, free for hotel guests.
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End the day with dinner at restaurant BØFF.
Hiking Package Limburg
Straight from the hotel into the Kasteelse Bossen woods, with coffee and Limburg vlaai on arrival and a 3-course dinner of your choice
p.p. per night · based on 2 people in a Comfort room
The discount applies once per room per stay starting on a Sunday.
How to get there
From the hotel, it takes about:
Jachthut Op den Hamer, Twistedenerweg 2, Wellerlooi
Frequently asked questions
Any other questions? Call reception: +31 77 397 6000What are the Maasduinen?
River dunes on the east bank of the Maas, blown up from the Maas valley in the last Ice Age. They form the longest belt of river dunes in the Netherlands. The national park covers more than 4,500 hectares and is more than 20 kilometres long.
Where do you start a walk in De Maasduinen?
At one of the park’s starting points: Jachthut Op den Hamer in Wellerlooi for the De Hamert estate, De Zevenboom or Paviljoen Bleijenbeek in Afferden for the Bergerbos, or the visitor centre near Well. The 17 walking routes are waymarked with coloured posts.
Can I bring my dog to De Maasduinen?
Yes, usually on a lead. In the Bergerbos near Afferden and by the Eendenmeer in Nieuw-Bergen, there is an off-lead area of more than 10 hectares.
What can you see on the De Hamert estate?
Parabolic dunes, heath and fens, the Vorstengraf (one of the largest burial mounds in the Netherlands), the Pikmeeuwenwater and the fast-flowing Geldernsch-Nierskanaal. From Jachthut Op den Hamer, waymarked routes of 1 to 5 kilometres set off.
Can you visit the ruin of Bleijenbeek?
The ruin near Afferden is open by appointment. The castle was destroyed in a bombardment in 1945; today bats live there. At Paviljoen Bleijenbeek you will find information about the area.
How far is De Maasduinen National Park from Parkhotel Horst?
About 20 minutes by car. Jachthut Op den Hamer in Wellerlooi, the starting point for the De Hamert estate, is about 13 kilometres from the hotel.
More in Nature
See all days out in Nature
Photos (More in Nature): Trougnouf (Benoit Brummer) (CC BY 4.0); Sander van der Wel (CC BY-SA 2.0); via Wikimedia Commons.
Photos: Jac. Janssen (CC BY 2.0); Campinia88 (CC BY-SA 4.0); Take Mirrenberg (CC BY-SA 4.0); Romaine (CC0); via Wikimedia Commons.
After De Maasduinen: pool, wellness and dinner at BØFF
Twenty minutes from the river dunes, you sleep surrounded by greenery, with wellness under the same roof.
