Kapittelduinen - Nature

The Kapittelduinen form a varied nature area between Hoek van Holland, ’s-Gravenzande and Monster. Together with Solleveld to the north, the dunes are part of the protected Natura 2000 area Solleveld & Kapittelduinen.

What can you expect in the Kapittelduinen?

• Varied dune landscape: The Kapittelduinen consist of young dunes, wet valleys, grasslands, small woods, thickets, pools and old dykes. As a result, the landscape changes constantly during a walk.
• Van Dixhoorndriehoek: A special sub-area near Hoek van Holland. This young dune landscape was created from sand deposits during the expansion of the Rotterdam harbour works and is now a valuable nature area with open sand, dune grasslands and wet valleys.
• Birds and plants: Thanks to the combination of dunes, water, shrubs and woodland, many birds feel at home here. In spring, you may sometimes hear the nightingale in the thickets, while special plants such as grass-of-Parnassus and orchids can grow in the wet valleys.
• Several sub-areas: The Kapittelduinen include, among others, the Vinetaduin, the Hoekse Bosjes, the Roomse Duin, the Hillduin, the Nieuwlandse Duinen, De Banken and the more inland Staelduinse Bos.
• Nature and wartime history: Especially around Hoek van Holland, you will come across remains of bunkers, gun emplacements and other Atlantic Wall defences. Its location near the Nieuwe Waterweg once made this a strategic place.
• Natura 2000 area: Together with Solleveld, the Kapittelduinen are protected for, among other things, dune grasslands, wet dune valleys, white and grey dunes and various types of dune woodland.

Practical information

• Walking near Hoek van Holland: From the area around the beach, the Strandboulevard and the Hoekse Bosjes, various paths lead into the dune area. A walk can easily be combined with the wide beach, the pier, Fort 1881 or the bunkers.
• Pay attention to access rules: Not all parts of the Kapittelduinen are freely accessible. Fragile natural areas can sometimes only be visited via marked paths, and dogs must be kept on a lead in various places. Always check the information boards on site.

A special nature area on the coast

The Kapittelduinen are special because nature, beach, harbour landscape and history are all close together here. In a single walk, you can pass through quiet dune valleys, watch birds, come across bunkers and end up by the sea or the Nieuwe Waterweg.

For information

Nieuwlandsedijk, 's-Gravenzande