The shifting sands are a result of centuries of overgrazing and deforestation, which exposed the soil to wind erosion.
The park is home to the sand lizard, a species that relies on the sun-baked sand for thermoregulation.
Temperature fluctuations in the sand can reach extremes, with surface temperatures often significantly higher than in the surrounding forests.
Unlike coastal dunes, these are inland 'drift' dunes created by anthropogenic land clearing in the Middle Ages.
The area serves as a critical habitat for various species of rare ground-nesting birds.
The park is managed through active grazing by sheep and cattle to prevent the encroaching forest from fully stabilizing the sand.
It is one of the few places in the Netherlands where 'inland' dunes are maintained rather than being reforested.
The Loonse and Drunense Duinen National Park is a 3,500-hectare area in the province of North Brabant, widely known as the 'Brabant Sahara'. It features one of the largest active drifting sand areas in Western Europe. The landscape consists of a mix of open sand dunes, coniferous forests, and heathlands. Constant wind action keeps the sand dunes shifting, preventing dense vegetation from taking hold in the central zones. The park functions as a major biodiversity corridor for specialized flora and fauna adapted to sandy environments. It is a managed landscape where traditional agricultural use has transitioned into conservation. The area is part of the Natura 2000 network of protected European nature sites.
The highest vantage points on the northern edge of the central sand drift at sunset.
Wear sturdy walking shoes to navigate deep, loose sand, which can be physically demanding.
Bring your own water and supplies, as facilities are largely limited to the perimeter of the park.
Stay on marked paths during bird breeding seasons to protect fragile nesting grounds.
Do not attempt to cycle through the deepest, softest sections of the sand dunes, as it is extremely difficult; stick to established sandy paths.
Keep dogs on a leash in designated areas, avoid walking on fragile heathland, and take all litter home.
