Oostvaardersplassen, Nieuw Land National Park
Just minutes from Almere's city edge lies one of Western Europe's most extraordinary rewilded landscapes — a vast marshland teeming with red deer, Konik horses, Heck cattle and thousands of migratory birds. This is raw, primordial nature on land that didn't even exist before 1968.
A Nature Reserve Born from the Sea
The Oostvaardersplassen is part of the Nieuw Land National Park, a wetland that formed naturally on the reclaimed polder of Flevoland. What began as an industrial zone was colonised by greylag geese before planners could build on it, and the Dutch government wisely decided to let nature take charge. Today it covers more than 5,600 hectares of reed beds, open grassland and shallow lakes.
The reserve is internationally famous for its large herds of free-roaming Konik horses and Heck cattle — large, sturdy animals that graze the grasslands year-round and can be spotted at close range from the marked trails. Animal lovers also have a good chance of spotting red deer and dozens of water bird species, including spoonbills and white-tailed eagles.
Getting Out Into It
The 32-kilometre 'Rondje Oostvaardersplassen' cycling route starts at the Oostvaarders Nature Experience Centre in Almere and loops through diverse landscapes — reed marshes, open water, forest edges — that change character with every season. Spring brings nesting herons; autumn turns the grasslands gold and the deer rut begins.
For walkers, the Jan van den Boschpad trail leads to a secluded viewpoint picnic spot with seating and sweeping panoramas over the marshes — one of the most peaceful spots in the entire Amsterdam Metropolitan Area. Pack a thermos and allow time to simply sit and watch.
The Oostvaarders Pavilion
After your walk or ride, the Oostvaarders Pavilion at the Nature Experience Centre serves lunch and high tea with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the reserve. It is the kind of place where a heron lands on the terrace railing mid-sandwich.
The centre also runs guided excursions into areas of the reserve not accessible on your own, led by naturalists who know exactly where the horse herds are grazing that morning. Booking ahead in high season is strongly recommended.
Oostvaardersplassen, Nieuw Land National Park on video
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