What to do
Schoorl
Schoorl is a beautiful, cozy and unique dune village. There is a varied selection of good dining options and cozy terraces. Het Klimduin is located right in the center. This dune “flows” as it were into Schoorl. In the months of July and August, a cozy evening fair takes place every Tuesday evening (5 pm - 9.30 pm).
Schoorl also has one of the most beautiful nature reserves in our country. The Schoorl dunes are the highest in the Netherlands and rise more than 50 meters above the landscape. The landscape is very varied, so you can walk along dunes, moors and forests or walk through the open dune area to the bird lake. The National Park has over 60 km. of hiking trails. De Kerf is also a special area. The seawater can flow to it through a cove in the dunes during high tide. This ensures that unique plants and animals are shown here.
The Buitencentrum Schoorl is specially equipped to give you all information about the various walking / cycling routes, flora and fauna. Many marked walking and cycling routes start from here. Via the Schoorlse Zeeweg, which is located about 50 meters from the Buitencentrum, you can cycle to the sea along beautiful routes through the dunes. The Albatros is located about 200 meters from the Buitencentrum.
Beach near Schoorl
The spacious beach near Schoorl is still idyllic. The only buildings present are some cozy beach bars. From Schoorl you can easily drive by bicycle or car through the dunes to Hargen aan Zee. You can park your car in the very spacious parking lot. The bike storage is located directly at the beach entrance.
At this beach entrance you will also find Strandpaviljoen Hargen. This is a cozy beach bar on a wide beach. If you cycle or walk to the sea via the Schoorlse Zeeweg, you will arrive at the beach entrance of Paal 29. This entrance is therefore not accessible by car. Strandpaviljoen Paal 29 is located here (it is not open all year round). Due to the lack of cars in the vicinity, this pavilion has its own cozy and natural atmosphere.
Between beach entrance Paal 29 and Hargen, there is also a very nice beach entrance, Klein Schoorl. Here too you can only come by bicycle or walking. You can park your bicycle here, but there is no beach bar at the beach entrance. Everything here is pure nature!
A new stretch of wide beach with young dunes has been built between Camperduin and the village of Petten. A beautiful bike path runs through this renewed landscape, from there you can get a good impression of this special area.
You can reach Camperduin by bicycle or by car. There is a spacious parking lot and various bike storages. At the beach entrance you will find beachbar Struin, this is a good starting point for your activities. Seals occasionally swim along the coast, and if you are lucky, you will be kindly looked at by these curious coastal inhabitants.
Dunes of Schoorl
The nature reserve De Schoorlse duinen is a varied landscape with the highest dunes in the Netherlands, forests, heath and beach. The dunes of Schoorl rise more than 50 meters above the landscape. During the seasons there are always other things to discover. Dozens of bird species breed here, the heather is in bloom, beautiful mushrooms grow or the hoarfrost enchants the quiet landscape. The timeless drifting dunes provide a beautiful and unrealistic scenery, partly due to the clear white sand. The view of the sea is endless.
Behind the Buitencentrum Schoorl is a high staircase that takes you to the top of the dune. From here there is a beautiful view of the polder landscape on the one hand and on the other hand the dunes and the sea. If you walk towards Groet, you can climb the observation tower where you will have a 360 ° view of the sea and the nature reserve.
The dune area also has beautiful cycling routes, which take you past many beautiful spots. Bospaviljoen De Berenkuil is located on the Schoolse Zeeweg. Here you can enjoy a snack and a drink in a relaxed and natural environment. The Albatros is located about 250 meters from the Schoorlse Zeeweg.



Mountain biking
Schoorl has one of the most famous and most beautiful mountain bike trails in the Netherlands. The trail is clearly marked and runs through forests, heaths and dunes. The length is 15 km and the track has a total of about 220 altimeters and can be called quite challenging due to the many small climbs. The route mainly consists of fantastic single tracks.
There are several starting points and the trail can only be driven in one direction. It is also well maintained. In the summer, the dune sand can become quite loose, but "sheep fences" and plastic mats are placed, so that you can cycle over them effortlessly. A beautiful viewpoint to catch your breath is the Zwarte Blink. From there there is a magnificent view of the dunes, forests and the sea!
There are even more opportunities for mountain biking in the area. The PWN area and the beach adjacent to the Schoorl trail also offer many opportunities for mountain bikers. Also, a 25-minute bike ride away is the 8 km trail of Geestmerambacht, which is known for its many curves and dense forests.
Horseback riding
In Schoorl you can go horseback riding at Duinmanage van Poelenburgh. Beautiful forest, dune and beach rides are organized here all year round.
Through the varied landscape of the Schoorlse Duinen are 30 km. of varied bridle paths with lots of height differences. You can also reach the beach via the forest and dune area, where you will experience the space to gallop along the coastline.
Restaurants
Schoorl has a varied range of good restaurants. There is a great eatery for every moment.
Personally we find restaurant Lekker Puh in Groet, located 2.3 km. from the Albatros, a good choice. But the cozy restaurants with the beautiful terraces on the Klimduin are also worth a visit. The beautiful brasserie IJgenweis is also located in the Buitencentrum Schoorl. Here you can enjoy a spectacular view of the highest dunes in the Netherlands while enjoying (mostly) organic products.
Cycling
The Brede Duinenroute has been chosen by the ANWB as the most beautiful cycling route in the Netherlands!
This varied bike ride takes you through the dunes and heaths to the highest dune peaks in the Netherlands. You will also cycle through forests, polder and cozy villages. This cycling route is approximately 45 km. long. In addition to this cycling tour, there are a number of other beautiful cycling tours, where you can cycle for example along beautiful flower fields.



Hiking
In Schoorl you can walk endlessly along the many beautiful places. There are therefore many marked beautiful hiking trails. In the dunes of Schoorl you can enjoy the Corsican, Austrian and Scots pine. Especially in the month of May, these are a feast for the eyes with beautiful orange flower cones. The heather blooms profusely from about mid-August to mid-September. A walk along the moors is therefore really worthwhile. The sand lizard is also located in the dunes. With a bit of luck you can find them sunbathing. (We've had them in our yard a few times too!). What is especially striking is the peace in the dunes.
A beautiful and very varied walk is the North Sea walk. This walk is about 10 km long and starts at the Buitencentrum. This walk first takes you through the forest area in the dunes, then through moors and then leads you to the Vogelmeer, a beautiful place for a short break. Via sandy paths you walk into the open dune area and along the waving marram grass you reach the sea. There is a walking map in the Albatros which also indicates this route.
Of course you can also choose to take a walk on the beach. If desired, you can park the car in a large parking lot at Hargen aan Zee or Camperduin. From there you walk onto the beach for a lovely (evening) walk.
Bergen NH
Bergen has been a real artists' village since 1900. The environment is very attractive to painters, writers and other artists. In the summer months there are art markets around the Ruïnekerk on several evenings. There are also several galleries and museums. Museum Kranenburg is perhaps the best known.
De Zwarte Schuur / Cinebergen, is located on the wooded estate of 't Oude Hof at Eeuwigelaan 7. Here you can enjoy a good movie. There is a light evening on the first Wednesday of August. The people of Bergen then decorate their garden with beautiful lights, the cozy center with many restaurants and the Ruïnekerk are also extra nicely lit. The Kunst10daagse is organized in October. This is an event in which nearly 300 artists exhibit at approximately 160 different locations in Bergen and Bergen aan Zee. You can purchase the art catalog in the Information Center (near the Ruïnekerk ) It contains all art routes, concerts and exhibitions. The former home of Adriaan Roland Holst can be found on the Nesdijk in Bergen. This house is still inhabited on a rotating base by writers and poets
The oldest minigolf course in the Netherlands, the Merelhof is located in the center of Bergen! The original gravel courts are still located between beautiful old trees. However, this minigolf course is not open all year round, see their website for opening times.
At about 5 km from Bergen, lies Bergen aan Zee. You can cycle to Bergen aan Zee along beautifully located cycle paths. Even if you come by car, you enter Bergen aan Zee via a beautiful area. The Sea aquarium is located at the beginning of Bergen aan Zee. A little further you will find various catering establishments. The Albatros is about 5.5 km. from the center of Bergen.


Alkmaar
Alkmaar, the cheese city of the Netherlands. The traditional cheese market is held every Friday morning from the beginning of April to the end of September. A cheese market is also organized in the evenings in July and August. The special spectacle of the many cheeses in the square and the traditional cheese carriers always attracts many visitors and creates a cozy atmosphere.
Alkmaar has a beautiful and cozy center with a well-varied range of shops and restaurants. There are also plenty of cozy and inspiring coffee places, where it is joy to stay.
You should not miss the small old streets in Het Fnidsen. In this old part of the city you will find unique shops and nice restaurants, each with their own unique atmosphere. A good place to stroll around!
Alkmaar has many historic buildings along beautiful canals. A cruise tour is therefore recommended. During the tour important sights will be explained in Dutch and German. Some bridges are very low. You will really have to bend several times. It is also possible to sail through the canals and beyond. Rental boats are available.
In addition, Alkmaar has a wide range of cultural attractions. You can experience the rich history of a mill at the Molen van Groot (Piet), or admire the two world-famous organs in the Grote Sint Laurenskerk, or visit the National Beer Museum De Boom. The Albatros is about 11 km. from the center of Alkmaar.
Amsterdam
From Alkmaar you can easily travel to Amsterdam by train. The Central Station is located in the center of Amsterdam. Many sights can be visited on foot or by tram.
In bustling Amsterdam there are numerous options when it comes to cultural events, museums, eateries, shops and historical monuments. In addition, Amsterdam also has beautiful parks, of which the Vondelpark is perhaps the best known. During your exploration in Amsterdam you will be surprised by the diversity of small and inspiring coffee shops and shops.
Amsterdam is of course known for its beautiful canals. A tour in a tour boat is therefore highly recommended. Amsterdam Light Festival is often organized in the winter months. Several illuminated artworks by national and international artists, designers and architects will illuminate leading parts of Amsterdam. The artworks can be viewed from both water and land. (see various websites for information). It is not without reason that many tourists from all over the world come to visit Amsterdam every year!

