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The Netherlands🇳🇱 | national parksSchoorlse DuinenKlimduin, Hoge Duin, Zeepeduinen, Bergen aan Zee | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Schoorlse Duinen
👌 Worth visitingnational park ranked #15
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 15, 2026

The main decision is whether to base yourself in Schoorl village or Bergen aan Zee, and the bus timetable tips it: Schoorl suits trail starts, Bergen aan Zee suits beach finishes. The park sits on the North Holland coast between Bergen and Camperduin, about 45 km north of Amsterdam. Dunes here reach roughly 50 meters, higher than most Dutch landscapes, and the network of sandy paths, pine forest and open heath beats the flatter Zuid-Kennemerland. Crowds peak on summer weekends, and there is little real wilderness. I once took the bus from Alkmaar and the driver stopped to let a fox cross the road.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 The Netherlands Travel Guide.


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✨ Why go?
Ranked #15 national park in The NetherlandsWhat sets this place apart

Backpackers choose Schoorlse Duinen because it lets you plan your own route without a guide. Marked walking networks, with numbered junction posts (wandelknooppunten), let you string together a day of 15 to 25 km and end wherever the bus runs. The terrain changes fast: Hargervlakte heath, pine woods, and the steep sand of Klimduin all sit within a few kilometers. Add the open North Sea beach at Camperduin or Bergen aan Zee for the finish, and tours become unnecessary. Wild camping is not allowed, so you will use nearby campsites or hostels, which keeps the logistics simple and cheap.

💡 HighlightsKey sights and experiences for travelers

  1. Klimduin: A steep dune climb from Schoorl village with a lookout over woods, polder and sea. Expect sand in your shoes within minutes.
  2. Hargervlakte: A wide heathland basin with purple heather in late summer and a good chance of seeing deer.
  3. Hoge Duin: One of the park's highest dunes at about 50 meters, with broad views toward Egmond and the sea.
  4. Schoorlse Duinen beaches: Wide, flat North Sea sand between Camperduin and Bergen aan Zee, good for long barefoot walks and sunset.
  5. Pine forests of Schoorl: Planted dune woodland with soft needle paths, shade on hot days, and red squirrels if you are quiet.
  6. Wildlife at the Pettemerduinen: Grazing Highland cattle and Konik horses help keep the dunes open, and roe deer feed at dawn.
  7. Zeepeduinen: A quieter southern stretch with lower, wilder dunes and fewer
… read more 👉
  1. Klimduin: A steep dune climb from Schoorl village with a lookout over woods, polder and sea. Expect sand in your shoes within minutes.
  2. Hargervlakte: A wide heathland basin with purple heather in late summer and a good chance of seeing deer.
  3. Hoge Duin: One of the park's highest dunes at about 50 meters, with broad views toward Egmond and the sea.
  4. Schoorlse Duinen beaches: Wide, flat North Sea sand between Camperduin and Bergen aan Zee, good for long barefoot walks and sunset.
  5. Pine forests of Schoorl: Planted dune woodland with soft needle paths, shade on hot days, and red squirrels if you are quiet.
  6. Wildlife at the Pettemerduinen: Grazing Highland cattle and Konik horses help keep the dunes open, and roe deer feed at dawn.
  7. Zeepeduinen: A quieter southern stretch with lower, wilder dunes and fewer people than the main Schoorl entrances.
Allow a full day to see the main viewpoints and a beach stop, or two days if you want the quieter southern dunes as well.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do near Schoorlse Duinen

Small Group Alkmaar Cheese Market and City Tour *English*

Small Group Alkmaar Cheese Market and City Tour *English*

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Small Group Alkmaar City Walking Tour *English*

Small Group Alkmaar City Walking Tour *English*

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e-Scavenger hunt Alkmaar: Explore the city at your own pace

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Discover Alkmaar with a self-guided Outside Escape city game tour

Discover Alkmaar with a self-guided Outside Escape city game tour

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Alkmaar: City Walk with Audio Guide in 7 Languages on your Phone

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City Sup Tour in Alkmaar (2 hours )

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Private Guided Walking Tour in Alkmaar

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90 minutes self guided walking tour with puzzles in Alkmaar

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TOP Alkmaar: Private Guided Tour with Your Mobile

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🌤️ When to go?Seasonal considerations and timing

May to September is the best window for Schoorlse Duinen, though shoulder months suit hikers who dislike crowds.
  • Spring (April to May): 8 to 16°C (46 to 61°F), long light, flowering dune vegetation and quiet trails. Showers pass quickly.
  • Summer (June to August): 17 to 22°C (63 to 72°F), up to 16 hours of daylight. Busiest, with beach traffic and higher accommodation prices.
  • Autumn (September to October): 10 to 18°C (50 to 64°F), golden light, fewer people and lower prices.
  • Winter (November to March): 1 to 7°C (34 to 45°F), about 8 hours of light, strong wind and rain. Empty dunes, many places closed.
Weekdays in June or September give you space and mild weather.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: below average for travelingFEBFebruary: below average for travelingMARMarch: fair for travelingAPRApril: good for travelingMAYMay: excellent for travelingJUNJune: excellent for travelingJULJuly: highly recommended for travelingAUGAugust: highly recommended for travelingSEPSeptember: excellent for travelingOCTOctober: good for travelingNOVNovember: fair for travelingDECDecember: below average for traveling
netherlands-national-park-schoorlse-duinen
© Google | Geert Straatman

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🛏️ Where to stay?Where staying makes the most sense

The best base is Schoorl village, with Bergen and Bergen aan Zee also close, because there are no hotels inside the dunes themselves. Schoorl has a handful of campsites and holiday parks on its edge, with tent pitches around €20 to 35, and small B&Bs. Bergen is a pleasant, artsy village with more restaurants and a few hotels, while Bergen aan Zee offers beachfront stays and simple apartments. Hostel-style beds are scarce, so backpackers often use Alkmaar, about 12 km (7 miles) east, which has hostels, cheaper hotels and a train station. Bus 165 and 166 services link Alkmaar with Schoorl and Bergen. … read more 👉
The best base is Schoorl village, with Bergen and Bergen aan Zee also close, because there are no hotels inside the dunes themselves. Schoorl has a handful of campsites and holiday parks on its edge, with tent pitches around €20 to 35, and small B&Bs. Bergen is a pleasant, artsy village with more restaurants and a few hotels, while Bergen aan Zee offers beachfront stays and simple apartments. Hostel-style beds are scarce, so backpackers often use Alkmaar, about 12 km (7 miles) east, which has hostels, cheaper hotels and a train station. Bus 165 and 166 services link Alkmaar with Schoorl and Bergen. Wild camping is prohibited in the reserve, so book ahead in summer and on weekends.
Best hostels in The Netherlands


Best quality hotels in The Netherlands

👛 Costs (as of 15 October 2026)Travel costs and budget guide for Schoorlse Duinen

A day in Schoorlse Duinen costs roughly USD 60 to 130, with accommodation as the main variable.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entrance feesUSD 0Walking in the dunes is free. Parking near trailheads costs about USD 5 to 12 per day.
AccommodationUSD 25 to 100Campsites run USD 22 to 40 per pitch. B&Bs and hotels in Schoorl or Bergen start around USD 90 to 150, hostels in Alkmaar about USD 35 to 60.
Local transportUSD 5 to 15Regional buses from Alkmaar cost about USD 3 to 6 each way. Bike rental is USD 12 to 18 per day.
Food and suppliesUSD 20 to 45Supermarket meals cost USD 6 to 10. Café lunches are USD 12 to 20, dinners USD 20 to 35.
ExtrasUSD 5 to 15Coffee, beach pavilion drinks and the occasional museum visit.


source: holland.com
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🥾 TrailsHiking Schoorlse Duinen national park: highlights and difficulty

Most of the area is a mosaic of tall dunes, pine plantations, heath and wide beach. The hills look modest on paper but the loose sand makes climbs slow, so treat every ascent as harder than the numbers suggest. Deer and Highland cattle are common, and smaller birds such as stonechats appear on the heath. Paths are mostly wide and well marked, and difficulty is easy to moderate overall.

Klimduin and Hargervlakte Loop
  • Length: about 10 to 12 km
  • Duration: 3 to 4 hours
  • Difficulty: moderate because of soft sand on the climbs
  • Key features: dune viewpoint, heath basin, pine forest
  • Terrain: sand, forest tracks
… read more 👉
Most of the area is a mosaic of tall dunes, pine plantations, heath and wide beach. The hills look modest on paper but the loose sand makes climbs slow, so treat every ascent as harder than the numbers suggest. Deer and Highland cattle are common, and smaller birds such as stonechats appear on the heath. Paths are mostly wide and well marked, and difficulty is easy to moderate overall.

Klimduin and Hargervlakte Loop
  • Length: about 10 to 12 km
  • Duration: 3 to 4 hours
  • Difficulty: moderate because of soft sand on the climbs
  • Key features: dune viewpoint, heath basin, pine forest
  • Terrain: sand, forest tracks and short steep dune sections
Schoorl to Bergen aan Zee Walk
  • Length: about 12 to 15 km one way
  • Duration: 4 to 5 hours
  • Difficulty: moderate
  • Key features: high dunes, forest, beach finish
  • Terrain: mixed sand paths and compact woodland trails
From Alkmaar, local buses run to Schoorl and Bergen aan Zee, taking roughly 20 to 30 minutes, while Amsterdam trips take about 1.5 hours with a transfer. Weekends from May to September are busiest near the main parking areas, while weekdays and the southern paths stay calm. Entry to the dunes is free, though parking at some lots costs a few euros.
⚠️ Hiking info can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate. Before you hit the trail, check the latest conditions with locals. If you do spot anything that's off, I'd love to hear from you, so I can update it for fellow travelers.

🛡️ SafetyTraveler Safety Guide

Schoorlse Duinen is straightforward and well managed, with marked paths and little real danger. Soft sand makes distances slower than they look, so plan about 3 km (2 miles) per hour on dune sections and carry water, since there are few taps. Weather changes fast on the coast. Wind and sun exposure are real, so bring a windproof layer, sunscreen and a hat. Stay on marked trails to protect the fragile dunes. Highland cattle and Konik horses graze in places, so keep your distance and never feed them. Ticks are present in grass and heath, so check your legs afterward. Swim only at the beach areas with lifeguards, as currents are strong.
Check Country Safety

FAQFrequently asked questions about Schoorlse Duinen

One full day covers the main dune walks, and two days is better if you want beaches and quieter areas. A loop from Schoorl takes 3 to 4 hours, while the walk to Bergen aan Zee takes 4 to 5 hours. Staying overnight lets you try the Zeepeduinen at a slower pace.
Yes, local buses connect Alkmaar to Schoorl and Bergen aan Zee in about 20 to 30 minutes. Amsterdam to Schoorl takes roughly 1.5 hours with a transfer. Once there, marked walking routes link villages, so a car is unnecessary.
Entry is free and no permit is needed for walking the public paths. Some parking areas charge a few euros, and wild camping is not allowed. Campsites nearby generally cost around 20 to 40 euros per night for a tent.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Dutch national parks near Schoorlse Duinen

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We 💚 feedbackFinal thoughts on exploring Schoorlse Duinen

Go on a weekday in late August or early September, and be on the paths by 8 a.m. The heather is purple, the light is low and golden, and the deer are still out. Midday summer weekends feel crowded, and winter can be wet and gray, but the sunset beach walk works nearly all year.

✈️ When did I visit The Netherlands?
Netherlands is my home base, so whenever I don’t travel, you can find me in this tiny spot on the globe. When friends from abroad visit me, it’s the time to actually explore my own country as a traveler.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in The Netherlands, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

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