Keywords: Tourism and recreation, dunes, National Park, management
 
 

Contact:	Dhr. van Groenigen, Districtshoofd Staatbosbeheer Noord-Holland, Bloemaertlaan 20, 1816 KS Alkmaar, tel: 072-5191700, fax: 072-5157950
	Dhr. van der Spek, Boswachter Staatsbosbeheer, Abbewaal 2, 1791 WZ Den Burg, Texel, tel: 0222-312228, fax: 0222-310104

Location: Wadden Sea, The Netherlands

Introduction

Texel is the biggest barrier island in the Wadden Sea Area. The island is situated in the Dutch part of the Wadden Sea in the province of North Holland. Approximately one third of the island is protected as nature reserve and the dunes of Texel are in the process of being established as a National Park ‘Dunes of Texel’. The management of the Dunes of Texel is in hands of the State Forestry.

The island of Texel has a geological history that dates back to the last but one glacial period. The genesis of the island is partly interwoven with the genesis of the Wadden Sea (see: Geology and genesis).

The dune landscape on the island of Texel is the result of centuries of interaction between soil and climate, wind and water, flora and fauna and also man. The influences together make the Dunes of Texel a unique nature area (see: Natural values and importance).

The Dunes of Texel show a large variety in landscape. Several areas with specific landscape features and flora and fauna can be distinguished (see: Map of Texel). From north to south these are:
The Eierland Dunes, the Krimbos, the Slufter, the Muy, the Dennen, the dunes between De Koog and Den Hoorn (the Seetingsnollen, the Dune Park, the Bleekersvallei, the Western Dunes and the Bollekamer), the Geul, and the Hors. In the North Sea, west of the dunes a sand bank is present, called the Razende Bol (see: Large variety in the dune landscape of Texel).

Tourism and recreation is important for the island of Texel. Estimates say that approximately 70% of all activities on the island of Texel are related to tourism. The most important forms of recreation in the Dunes of Texel are walking and cycling. Furthermore, there are horse riding tracks, a special route for mountain bikes, playgrounds, picknick places and barbecue places. On the beach people can fly kites.
 

References:

• Berendsen H.J.A. (1996) De Vorming van het land, inleiding in de geologie en de geomorfologie; Fysische geografie van Nederland; Van Gorcum & Comp, Assen.
• Griffioen H.R.P. (1999) (Staatsbosbeheer) Rapportage recreatieonderzoek in Elswout en de Texelse Duinen 1998; Regio Noord-Holland, bureau Terreinbeheer. (33R2A1DR1999)
• Louters T. & Gerritsen F. (1994) Het mysterie van de Wadden; Hoe een getijdesysteem inspeelt op de zeespiegelstijging; Rapport RIKZ-94.040. (33R1DHM94)
• Ministerie van Landbouw, Natuurbeheer en Visserij, directie Natuurbeheer (1998) Nationaal Park Duinen van Texel (brochure); i.s.m. Staatsbosbeheer. (33R2A1)
• Staatsbosbeheer (1995) The Dennen, The National Forest Service’s recreational natural forest. (33R1BNF95)
• Staatsbosbeheer (1999) Het beheer van bos en natuur op Texel in 1997 en 1998, beheersverslag 1999-1; Regio Noord-Holland, district Texel. (33R2A1BN1999)
• Ten Haaf and Bakker (1991) Beheersplan Duinen Texel deel 1, 2 en 3. (33R2A1)
• van Waes M.J.F. & Volkers (Van de Bunt)(2000) Rapport Texel 2030, deel I: De toekomstbeelden, deel II: Uitwerking van de trends die de toekomst van Texel bepalen, deel III: Bijlagen. (33R2A1DR2000)
• VVV Texel (2000) Promotieplan 2000 (33R2A1DR2000)
• www.waddenzee.nl