Around 1900 Kootwijk was surrounded by drifting sand. If the
locals had had their way the entire area would have become
woodland. The Dutch Forestry Commission took a slightly different
view. In time, part of the vast drifting sand became a designated
national nature reserve. This was just as well as it is the largest
"living" drifting sand, the largest desert, in Western Europe, and
set in one of the smallest countries at that. What you see is
unique - a chain of sandy dunes created by the wind. You are
allowed to roam freely. Climb the tall watchtower and choose a
direction to cross the sands.
Noordheideweg
Kootwijk
www.theveluwe.com