Name: Vlieland Dunes and Heather Trails
Rating: 2

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Netherlands

Friesland

Vlieland

Vlieland Dunes and Heather Trails

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Netherlands

Friesland

Vlieland

Vlieland Dunes and Heather Trails

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Location: Vlieland, Friesland, Netherlands

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Top cycling routes to Vlieland Dunes and Heather Trails

4.8

(210)

1,807

riders

1. Oost-Vlieland – Posthuys Vlieland loop from Oost-Vlieland

29.7km

01:54

80m

Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Easy

4.9

(25)

266

riders

2. Posthuys Vlieland – Vuurduin Lighthouse (Vlieland) loop from Oost-Vlieland

56.7km

04:38

100m

Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

4.7

(15)

141

riders

3. Oost-Vlieland – Waddendijk Vlieland loop from Oost-Vlieland

16.6km

01:06

30m

Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Easy

Tips

September 1, 2025

This day was dedicated to exploring the island by land, under mild skies but with a strong headwind from the start.

We took the cycle route towards the western tip of the island, following the dunes and the Wadden Sea, with the landscape constantly changing as the kilometers went by.

As soon as we entered the village of Oost-Vlieland, on the edge of the ferry dock, a large, intriguing statue greeted us. It depicted a man wearing a tricorn hat, looking proud, almost like a pirate. He was actually Nicolaas Kikkert, a sea captain born in 1824 and originally from the island. He is known for his remarkable naval career and for contributing to the safety of the shipping routes around Vlieland.

🔦 From the lighthouse to the military zone

The ride continued to the Vlieland lighthouse, perched on a hilltop offering a breathtaking view of the village's red roofs, the Wadden Sea, and the wooded dunes.

We then followed the trail to Posthuis, on the edge of the restricted military zone. A well-deserved break was made there: an aperitif and a light lunch on the terrace, lulled by the sound of the wind in the tall grass.

🌾 Return via the dunes – Nature in its majesty

The return journey took us along superb cycle paths winding through the dunes in the eastern part of the island, more sheltered from the wind. This section offered us a true immersion in nature:

Seabird watching,

Numerous wild plants,

Expanses of heather in full bloom, in magnificent shades of mauve and violet. We also came across a tree split by lightning, whose bark still bore the dark traces of burning and the spiral grooves formed by the electrical impact. An impressive sight.

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Elevation 0 m

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Monday 6 October

16°C

15°C

20 %

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Max wind speed: 39.0 km/h

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See rides here

Take Me There

Location: Vlieland, Friesland, Netherlands

Vlieland Dunes and Heather Trails

1. Oost-Vlieland – Posthuys Vlieland loop from Oost-Vlieland

2. Posthuys Vlieland – Vuurduin Lighthouse (Vlieland) loop from Oost-Vlieland

3. Oost-Vlieland – Waddendijk Vlieland loop from Oost-Vlieland

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