De Maasduinen

De Maasduinen runs about twenty kilometres along the east bank of the Maas in northern Limburg and protects the longest river dune belt in the Netherlands - sand blown out of the dry braided riverbed at the end of the last glaciation and piled into ridges inland, reaching around thirty metres, which is high ground for this country. Between and behind the ridges lie fens and wet heath in the hollows where the water table reaches the surface, and there is planted pine, oak woodland and open drift sand. The Reindersmeer, a flooded gravel pit, sits in the middle and is used for swimming. The area was one of the last Dutch strongholds of several heath species and is managed by grazing. Arcen nearby has a castle with extensive gardens, and the German border runs close on the east.

What you actually see

• The longest river dune belt - sand blown from the Maas bed at the end of the ice age.
• Ridges to about thirty metres - high ground by Dutch standards.
• Fens in the hollows - wet heath where the water table meets the surface.
• The Reindersmeer - a flooded gravel pit used for swimming in the middle.

When to go

April to October. A day.

Honest expectations

Sand paths are heavy going. Ticks are common. The park is long and thin - pick one section rather than trying to cover it. Swimming is only at the designated lake.

Nearby

Arcen castle gardens are south; Venlo is beyond them.