Zuid-Kennemerland National Park
Zuid-Kennemerland is a coastal dune national park stretching between Haarlem and the North Sea, combining rolling dune landscape, pine woods, and grazing Scottish Highland cattle and Konik ponies used for natural land management. Its varied terrain and relatively wild character make it a popular cycling and hiking destination for both locals and visitors wanting a break from the flat, engineered polder landscape typical elsewhere in the country.
It's an easy half-day escape from Haarlem, with well-marked trails ranging from short loops to longer routes reaching the coast, and it's notably close to a major city for how undeveloped it feels once inside.
Zuid-Kennemerland National Park FAQs
The park itself is free to enter and walk or cycle through; parking at some entrances may carry a fee.
Bus service and cycling routes connect central Haarlem to park entrances near Overveen and Bloemendaal in about 20-30 minutes.
Sightings of Scottish Highland cattle and Konik ponies, used for natural grazing management, are common but not guaranteed, especially on longer trails.
Yes, several trails lead through the dunes to the North Sea beach, making a full dune-to-coast walk possible.
Yes, there are dedicated cycling paths through parts of the park, alongside walking-only trails in more ecologically sensitive dune areas.
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