Foundation for Motor Boat Lifeboat ‘Dorus Rijkers’

The largest fort in the Netherlands, only accessible by guided tour

The hiking network in North Holland offers hikers opportunities for healthy, challenging and interesting hikes in lovely North Holland. The various walks run through beautiful landscapes, charming villages and nature reserves, across farmland paths, ancient dikes and past historic locations. You can go hiking directly from one of the starting points, where you can choose from various marked routes. You choose the length and environment of your walk yourself. This way the hiking network provides both convenience and walking pleasure.

Hiking around Den Helder is beautiful. Everyone who travel North to the top of North Holland will be rewarded with a suprisingly versatile route. Hike on winding paths through dunes and on top of the dyke past the Wadden Sea UNESCO World Heritage. You will see forts, musea, a big red lighthouse and end up in a city centre with any places to rest and have a bite to eat.

Enjoy lunch, dinner and coffee with a view of the city center

The Balgzandpolder is entirely designed for birds. You always see birds here resting or looking for food. At high tide in the Wadden Sea there are extra birds to be seen here. They can often be admired from a short distance via a viewing screen. Birds that you can see, for example, are spoonbills, many species of ducks, large groups of oystercatchers and redshanks and amongst them rarer birds such as spotted redshanks and greenshanks.

Special border between the North Sea and the Wadden Sea World Heritage Site.

Beach rides, lessons and recreational horses at this small stable in Den Helder

Southeast of Den Helder lies the beautiful nature reserve World Heritage Waddenzee. The Balgzand is the the western part of the Waddenzee. This area is very important for migrating birds and for fish. To have as many people as possible know about this beautiful reserve, Nature information center Balgzand 't Kuitje hosts wad excursions organised by the Waddenvereniging.

When you sail with the Tres Hombres, you will not count as a passenger, no, you're really a part of the crew! You come on board "with the safe holes" or you start at the lower rungs of the ladder. You learn the necessary safety knowledge for ordinary seaman, ship maintenance, steering, pay attention to changes, set sail and more. Then you proceed to sailor: Ropework, basic navigation and maneuvering under sail. Eventually after the necessary sailing time you have the experience to become a boatswain: leadership, harnesses, sail sewing, carpentry and ship seamanship in the widest.