Dunes of Loon and Drunen National Park

The province of North Brabant has its own desert, located in the Dunes of Loon and Drunen National Park. The so-called Brabant Sahara consists of some 30 square kilometers of shifting sands. Contrary to the image many people have of a desert, the Dunes of Loon and Drunen are a very lively area with a great variety of plants and animals.

A Dutch desert

Think of the Netherlands and you're probably thinking of flat grasslands with cattle. Images of the Dunes of Loon and Drunen seem to come from Africa and yet, this special wilderness area is in the middle of Brabant. Keep your camera ready, because the shifting sands need only a breath of wind to display a stunning spectacle. Don't get caught off guard by the temperature, which can reach up to forty degrees Celsius during the day in the summer and then drop to around freezing in the evening.

You can imagine that such a special area must have peculiar flora and fauna. In addition to sand, the Dunes of Loon and Drunen also have many mosses and grasses. An interesting sight is the transition area where the pine forests and heather gradually merge with the shifting sands. The area is also home to many songbirds, birds of prey, roe deer and even badgers.

Activities in nature

Walking tours are organized at the Dunes of Loon and Drunen throughout the year. A guide will show you all the splendor of the season. For those seeking action and adventure, there are GPS tours, bridle paths and mountain bike trails. All of the maps and details you need about the nature reserve can be found at the visitor center in Oisterwijk.