6x heathland spotting in the Netherlands

From late July to early September is the time of year to admire the Netherlands' breathtaking heathlands. During these months, the heather reaches its peak flowering, transforming the landscape into a fairytale purple oasis. Whether you like to hike, photograph or just enjoy nature, this is the time to immerse yourself in the colours and scents of this magical flowering season. Don't miss this chance to experience the overwhelming beauty of the Dutch heathland in all its glory.

The world-famous De Hoge Veluwe National Park is a paradise for nature lovers. You walk across purple moors and through hilly forests. With 5,400 hectares of beautiful landscapes and thirteen marked hiking routes, there is bound to be a tour that suits you. Of course, in such a large area, there is plenty of heather to spot.

Explore the Deelense Veld on foot or by bicycle. Throughout the area there are white bicycles that you can grab for free. If you're lucky, you'll see shy deer frolicking among the heather. Especially if you get out of bed early for a nice walk through the purple nature.

In the heart of the Veluwe, the Loenermark awaits you. Enter a landscape full of pine forests, juniper thickets and heathlands. Veluwe heath sheep graze here, which adorn the area together with old drift dunes. Choose one of the walking routes and let yourself be taken through this beautiful piece of nature.

Step into the area and discover four special walking routes. The red route of two and a half kilometres or the blue of six kilometres are two shorter routes. Or go for more adventure with the white arrows of the boulder route (seven kilometres) and the yellow arrows of the boulder route (thirteen and a half kilometres). The choice is yours!

The Ermelosche Heide enchants with its purple splendour. The place invites for an idyllic walk. Nature lovers are surrounded by flowering heather and the buzzing of bees. Besides this picturesque setting, a visit to the sheepfold at the Ermelosche Heide Visitor Centre should not be missed. This sheepfold is one of the largest in the Netherlands with a flock of around 300 sheep. In early spring, the pen is full of lambs and mother sheep.

But there is more to spot in this special area than heathland and the sheepfold. Walking along the path of history, you will discover the unique Roman Marskamp near Ermelo. The only Roman Mars Camp discovered in the Netherlands, where Marcus Aurelius' army bivouacked for several days in 170 AD. This camp rose in a few hours, served briefly as an overnight shelter and was left behind when the Romans moved on. A statue of a crouching Roman, made by Gerrie Hondius, has been placed at the Mars camp. The statue now forms an even more beautiful picture thanks to the surrounding purple fields full of heather flowers.

The Gasterse Duinen, located in the enchanting landscape of Drenthe, is an ideal destination for lovers of nature and hiking adventures. This area is known for its vast heathland landscapes, where the purple glow forms a fairytale spectacle. Here you can take beautiful walks surrounded by the soothing atmosphere of nature.

For those interested in aerial photography, this area offers another unique experience: from a drone, the undulating moors can be admired from above. And let this be exactly what Honeyguide Marion did to take these beautiful photos. The Gasterse Duinen are not only a feast for the eyes, but also an oasis of serenity and wonder for anyone who wants to experience the beauty of the moors. Get up extra early and enjoy a warm glow over the purple fields.

In Westerheide, photographer Mike also looked higher up. Westerheide in North Holland is not only a spectacular place with that breathtaking purple heath, but you can also enjoy the company of some red-headed Scottish Highlanders here. If you are lucky, you can capture them like Mike did in the purple fields. A photogenic picture right?

Death roads, urn fields and burial mounds can be found on and under the moors. This shows that this special area has been used by humans for thousands of years. Besides heathland vegetation, mosses, herbs and shrubs also grow here. Special bird species like to spend some time on Westerheide. Who knows, you might spot meadow pipits, tree falcons and cuckoos.

From the north and centre of the Netherlands, we travel south. In Limburg you will find the Brunssummerheide, an area full of moors, fens and forests. Go on an adventure through the bogs with iron-rich spring water and discover rare plants and insects that have found a home here. Pack your rucksack and follow the 4.92-kilometre walking route with light green posts or the 12.9-kilometre route with dark green posts.

Photos below: Joackey Adams