Discover the most beautiful dunes in the Netherlands and enjoy the flower fields from your holiday home in Bergen aan Zee!

Do you love cycling, hiking or water sports? And are you looking for fresh sea air and stunning panoramic views? Then consider a holiday home in Bergen aan Zee! The coast between Alkmaar and Den Helder offers one of the most beautiful cycling routes in the country. Enjoy and pedal for hours through the magnificent dune landscape, stroll along the beach or relax at one of the charming beach pavilions!

Cycling and mountain biking from your holiday home in Bergen aan Zee

Cycling and mountain biking through the dunes around Bergen aan Zee is at its best from spring until mid-September. Start your trip, for example, at the foot of the famous Klimduin in Schoorl, where you can cycle uphill directly from the parking lot behind the Jumbo. The route first leads through the forest, then along the forest edge, and then passes picturesque villages. Depending on your preference, you can choose a route straight through the Schoorl Dunes, or along the coast towards Camperduin and the seaside town of Hargen aan Zee, eventually taking a coastal path to Bergen aan Zee. Whichever route you choose, the dune area here is breathtaking — also quite literally for mountain bikers. Be sure to stop at Blick in die Duinen for a fantastic view and a photo.

Hiking along the Heidepad Trail

Still have energy for a long walk? At the Korteweg-Verspyckweg intersection, you'll find the PWN starting point of beautiful hiking trails through the forests of Bergen aan Zee. This walking area includes three routes: the Thaborpad (3.5 km), the Koepeltje (7 km), and the Heidepad Trail (12 km), each marked with a different color. Combine a varied hike through forests, heathland and open dune area, as the information board suggests. Tip: start your hike after 10:30 a.m. to avoid most cyclists and don’t forget to bring a dune pass!

Skiing in the Bergerbos

Further east you'll find a fairly large forest area with well-maintained paths where you can walk, cycle, jog and... ski! At ski club Il Primo, you can ski on an artificial slope made of brush bristles. It's a fun experience or a good preparation for your winter sports trip. The Bergerbos is also wheelchair accessible, and dogs can roam off-leash for most of the year (except during the breeding season). Don’t forget to stop at the observation platform near Uilenvangerweg. On clear days, you’ll enjoy a stunning view of the dune forest — you can even see the sea from here.

Visit the city of Alkmaar from your holiday home in Bergen aan Zee

Rent a boat and sail through the picturesque canals of the city of Alkmaar, or join a canal cruise. Another great way to explore the flat countryside combined with the dunes is by bike. Take, for example, the Bulb Route through the flower fields and dunes of Egmond and Castricum, or follow the ferry route around the lake area Alkmaardermeer and Uitgeestermeer. Cycling from your holiday home in Bergen aan Zee is always a typically Dutch delight!

Beach pavilions in Bergen aan Zee

After all that walking and cycling, are you ready to relax? Take a seat on one of the benches at Duinpaviljoen Noord for a cup of coffee, a beer, a croquette sandwich or another satisfying snack. Want to sit even closer to the beach? Head to one of the atmospheric beach pavilions in Côte d'Azur style, or to self-service bar De Jongens (next to the surf school) for a Texel beer and a ‘traditional’ grilled cheese sandwich. Recommendation: for Brazilian vibes, head to Bossa Nova, where there’s live music every Sunday.

Go surfing and banana boating

If you're a true water sports enthusiast and want to conquer the waves during your seaside holiday, Bergen aan Zee is the perfect place. Rent a board at Surfschool Bergen aan Zee and impress on the water. The surf school offers both individual and group lessons. You can also rent paddleboards and bodyboards — and yes, go banana boating! Next door is Kitesurfschool Hang Loosse, which also offers both private and group courses.

IVN Botanical Garden Bergen aan Zee

Just a few hundred meters from the boulevard of Bergen aan Zee lies Parnassia Park, a natural dune valley that today forms an oasis of peace for interested visitors. Enjoy a moment of calm in the botanical garden. Alongside a scenic walking path, you'll find various local flowers and plants. What makes this garden special is how it shows which species bloom in calcareous versus non-calcareous dune soil. Both are present here, because the botanical garden in Bergen aan Zee lies exactly on the lime boundary. That’s what makes this dune area so unique. Want to learn more about nature around Bergen aan Zee? Walks regularly start from the IVN main building in Parnassia. The IVN also organizes bee excursions for schoolchildren.

Bergen aan Zee Nature Reserve

An absolute ‘must see’ is the dune area south of the Zeeweg. The landscape here is incredibly varied — dunes, ponds, heath and greenery. Paths are both paved and sandy, and don’t be surprised to encounter Scottish Highlanders or peacefully grazing ponies along the dune slopes. A big difference compared to Schoorl, which mostly consists of forest, is the open landscape here where you can wander endlessly. Bergen aan Zee at its best!

Rent a holiday home in Bergen aan Zee

The surroundings of Bergen aan Zee showcase one of the most beautiful landscapes in the Netherlands! A longer stay is the ideal way to explore this stunning coastal region. Take a walk through the Bergen aan Zee Nature Reserve at its finest and enjoy a close encounter with Scottish Highlanders, or go for an unforgettable cycling trip through the Schoorl Dunes! Drawn to the countryside around Alkmaar as well, including a boat trip through the 'authentic cheese city'? Then definitely book a holiday home in Bergen aan Zee and enjoy your weekend or week by the North Holland coast your way!