Loonse en Drunense Nationaal Park - Waalwijk, NL
Posted by: Groundspeak Regular Member T-Team!
N 51° 38.962 E 005° 04.306
31U E 643328 N 5724073
In the Loonse en Drunense Duinen you will find forest, heath and especially a lot of sand. It is one of the largest shifting sand areas in Western Europe.
Waymark Code: WM157PN
Location: Noord-Brabant, Netherlands
Date Posted: 11/02/2021
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member Blue J Wenatchee
Views: 4

According to the Natuurmonumenten (Nature monuments is a governmental organization for protecting precious nature area's in the Netherlands):

"By purchasing The Loonse en Drunense Duienn in 1921, it has been protected for 100 years and we can still enjoy this Brabant Sahara.

You can stroll on the sandy plain. So there is plenty of room to explore extensively. Marvel at the fallen trees, enjoy the chirping field crickets and quench your thirst at the many restaurants on the edge of this nature reserve. Walking, cycling or on horseback: it's all possible here. With the wind in your hair and the sand in your shoes. You might come across the flock of sheep. The sheep keep the heath short and eat saplings away. That's how they keep the area open. Do you want to know where to find them? Check out their own Facebook page!

What makes the Loonse en Drunense Duinen special?
De Loonse en Drunense Duinen still has 270 hectares of drifting sand. That sand creates rather extreme conditions: the soil is dry and nutrient-poor. The difference in temperature between day and night can be as much as 50 degrees Celsius. This ensures a unique flora and fauna. The animals and plants have adapted or feel at home in drought, aridity and temperature fluctuations. Sand sedges and various lichens, for example. And the viviparous lizard, sand ground beetles and sand bees. All species that love sand.

How does that sand get into the Loonse en Drunense Duinen?
In the last Ice Age, the polar winds blew sand from the north to Brabant, where it lay in thick packs. For a long time this sandy plain was covered with primeval forests. Until the fourteenth century the trees were felled by people. They used the wood as fuel. The barren plains filled with heather, on which the farmers let their cattle graze. This intensive grazing and the cutting of the soil depleted the soil. This gave the sand free rein. For a long time the sand was a big problem for the residents. Villages and fields threatened to disappear beneath it. Trees were planted to stop the advancing sand. You can still see the traces of this today: find the fallen trees that only peak above the sand hills with their crowns."

Source: (visit link)
Waymark is confirmed to be publicly accessible: yes

Access fee (In local currency): .00

Requires a high clearance vehicle to visit.: no

Requires 4x4 vehicle to visit.: no

Public Transport available: yes

Website reference: [Web Link]

Parking Coordinates: Not Listed

Visit Instructions:
No specific requirements, just have fun visiting the waymark.
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