Amsterdamse Waterleidingduinen, Amsterdam Nature Reserve

The city can be a busy place. Find some near to Amsterdam nature at the Amsterdamse Waterleidingduinen. It's a perfect place to spot wildlife, especially deer.

Jan and Patrick spotting animals at the Amsterdamse Waterleidingduinen

This enchanting nature area is especially beautiful at sunrise.

Beams of sunlight making way through the morning mist and foilage.

The deer and other animals are waking up.

If you walk real quiet you can get very close without startling them.

Read on to learn more about this magical place.

Up and close with the animals

Patrick eye in eye with a deer at the Amsterdamse Waterleidingduinen

The Amsterdamse Waterleidingduinen has the most fallow deer out of any area in the Netherlands. The deer have adjusted to the people visiting and are far from shy.

Many times this means that you can get very close to them. However if you make any sudden movements or sounds, they will run off.

There are many other wild animals as well such as foxes, doe, hare, rabbits and over 100 different types of birds.

You have a larger chance to spot them if you walk off road which is allowed. This makes the area a popular destination for photographers and bird spotters.

Clean drinking water for Amsterdam

Patrick in the dunes at the Amsterdamse Waterleidingduinen

The name Amsterdamse Waterleidingduinen means "The Amsterdam Waterwork Dunes".

Since 1853 the area has been used to get clean water to the people living in and Around Amsterdam.

Filtering rainwater through the dune sand is the first step in creating the clean drinking water. The area has enough water to supply to city of Amsterdam for two months if an emergency situation arrives.

Hiking but no biking!

Deer grazing peacefully at the Amsterdamse Waterleidingduinen

The dunes are a lovely place to go for hiking. Many local residents use the area to do their morning run.

However, no bikes are allowed to protect the animals and the nature.

You can cycle to one of the four entrances to the area and walk from there.

Planning your trip

Patrick checking the pancake menu at PannelandPatrick checking the menu at pancake restaurant 'Panneland'

There are four entrances to the Amsterdamse Waterleidingduinen.

If you are coming from Amsterdam we suggest the entrance 'Oase' which also has the visitors centre for the area.

A good alternative is the entrance 'Panneland' with a lovely pancake restaurant in the forest. 

Check out the website of the Amsterdamse Waterleidingduinen for more information.

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