Sallandse Heuvelrug

The Sallandse Heuvelrug is a ridge of ice-pushed sand and gravel between Nijverdal and Holten, shoved up by a glacier in the Saale glaciation to around seventy-five metres, and the national park protects about thirty-five square kilometres of it - one of the largest continuous areas of dry heather in north-western Europe on the crest, with pine and oak woodland on the flanks. The heath here is the last place in the Netherlands where black grouse survive: the population collapsed nationally through the twentieth century and the remnant on this ridge has been supported by habitat work and by releases of birds from Sweden, with the outcome still uncertain. Large parts are closed in the breeding season for that reason. There are viewpoints along the crest, a visitor centre at Nijverdal, and a long-distance path over the ridge.

What you actually see

• Ice-pushed ridges - sand and gravel shoved up to about seventy-five metres.
• Dry heather on the crest - among the largest such areas in north-western Europe.
• The last Dutch black grouse - a remnant population supported by releases.
• Crest viewpoints - looking over the Salland farmland either side.

When to go

April to October; August for the heather. A day.

Honest expectations

Large sections close in the black grouse breeding season and the closures are enforced. Ticks are common. Parking is charged. The grouse are extremely unlikely to be seen and should not be sought.

Nearby

Holten and Nijverdal are at either end; Deventer is south-west.