Mariëndal

At the end of 2005, the nature in Den Helder was expanded with more than 50 hectares of natural bush land. Flower bulb fields were converted into low dunes, dune grasslands and water features. Come and visit and be amazed by the wealth of flowers, butterflies and birds. Don’t forget your boots! The haye is a striking part of the wet area. It is a ditch from which sand was formerly used for erecting the sand dike. A dune stream is also special. If it is not too dry, seepage water flows from the higher dunes here. The terrain is very wet during the winter due to rainfall and seepage from the adjacent dunes. The water level drops during the summer. Noticeable right away are the first animals that immediately began exploring the terrain and whose traces can be found in the terrain. Foxes, rabbits and hares can be found here. Mariëndal attracts birds like a magnet. Greylag geese, snipe and oystercatchers are seen daily and of course gulls also find peace here. The flowers are impressive, especially in spring and summer. Species such as marsh orchid, red rattles, rattles and ragged robin colour the area.