Schoorlse duinen – hill training in the Netherlands

Ready to conquer the highest dunes in the Netherlands? Then go to the Schoorlse Duinen in the Kop van Noord-Holland. The highest dune top is no less than 55 meters high and the widest dune is 5 kilometers wide!

Get ready for a tough run of just under 15 kilometers through sand and over dunes. Certainly not an easy run, but you will be rewarded with beautiful views over the dune landscape and hidden lakes.

This run starts at bus stop De Sanderije, accessible by bus from Alkmaar station, among others. After a few hundred meters you immediately come across the first challenge: the famous climbing dune of Schoorl. Give your calves a good workout here by plowing up the loose sand.

Don't feel like the hustle and bustle of this beloved dune? After 2 kilometers you will find an alternative: a climbing dune that is just as steep and challenging, but a lot quieter. Or just climb both dunes for the ultimate hill workout!

After 6 kilometers you may need a short break. The beach pavilion Hargen is an ideal stopover here. This pavilion is open from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM during the beach season, and until 9:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. Here you can sit with a view of the North Sea.

More than a kilometer away you will come across a nice surprise: a small lake hidden between the dunes, surrounded by reeds and other vegetation. A beautiful sight in every season.
After this, the next climb up to a dune with a spectacular viewpoint awaits you. This path up is a lot less challenging, because the loose sand here has been replaced by compact subsoil. Nevertheless, it is quite an achievement to come up running. Let the panorama take effect from the top of the dunes: the landscape here is beautiful and varied.

Ready for the next challenge? In a wooded area, the so-called Bear Trail awaits you here: a steep path up through the trees. Pay close attention to the exposed roots here!

Near the end of your route you will find one last steep climbing dune with a deep layer of sand. A great place for a last effort, or to take a quiet walk down. You decide!

Ready for a reward when your run is over? You will find the Fletcher restaurant Jan van Scorel near the bus stop. The restaurant is open from 07:00 (weekdays) and 08:00 (weekends) until 23:00.