Around Camperduinen
Welcome to Camperduin
Camperduin lies in one of the most beautiful spots on the North Holland coast, right where dunes, beach and polder meet. Together with the villages of Schoorl and Groet it forms an area of peace and space, without missing out on a cosy village atmosphere.
Here you can easily combine a morning on the wide beach with an afternoon cycling through the dunes or an evening out for dinner in one of the villages.
Beach and water
The beach at Camperduin is wide, clean and never crowded. Thanks to the coastal reinforcement, a special recreation area has been created with a real highlight: the lagoon, a shallow, calm stretch of water that is ideal for paddling, stand-up paddleboarding or a relaxed swim. Children love the big play ship on the beach.
If you really want to get out on the water: at Camperduin you can go stand-up paddleboarding, surfing, kitesurfing, kayaking and surf rafting. Hookipa Beach and De Jongens uit Schoorl offer lessons and rentals for beginners and experienced riders.
A few kilometres further south lies Hargen aan Zee: a wide, quiet family beach that never gets too busy. Perfect for a relaxed day of beach games and kite flying.
Dunes and nature
The Schoorl Dunes are the highest and widest dunes in the Netherlands, covering 1,800 hectares. The dune area is a patchwork of woods, heathland, open dune valleys and bird lakes, and it starts practically on your doorstep.
Walkers can choose from more than 60 kilometres of footpaths. Follow the Gnome Trail (a favourite with children), walk through purple heather in August, or take one of the longer routes from the Schoorl Dunes Visitor Centre, the perfect starting point for any walk.
Mountain bikers will find one of the toughest and most beautiful MTB trails in the Netherlands here: steep climbs, soft sand and views that make every effort worthwhile.
North of Camperduin lies the bird area De Putten, a breeding and feeding ground for avocets, spoonbills, redshanks and various ducks. From the bird hides you have a wonderful view over the water and the polder.
Schoorl
Just a few minutes away by bike lies Schoorl, a charming village at the foot of the dunes. The famous Klimduin, 51 metres high, literally rolls into the village centre.
Schoorl has a pleasant shopping street with everyday shops and nice little boutiques to browse. The food scene is surprisingly good: from Michelin-starred restaurant Merlet to cosy cafés.
Tip: street market in Schoorl on Tuesday evenings, romantic market in Groet on Monday evenings.
Bergen
The artists' village of Bergen is a short bike ride away and a world of its own. The Ruïnekerk is the heart of the village, surrounded by galleries, bookshops and grand cafés.
The Museum Kranenburgh shows more than 3,500 works of art, including pieces by the Bergen School. Bergen is also great for a day of shopping: from vintage to fashion, from delis to interior shops.
In Bergen aan Zee you will find the Sea Aquarium, a fun outing with children.
Alkmaar
In less than half an hour you can cycle to Alkmaar, the historic cheese city. From April to September the famous cheese market takes place here every Friday on the Waagplein.
The Stedelijk Museum and the Dutch Cheese Museum are well worth a visit. Alkmaar has a lively centre with shops, restaurants and terraces: perfect for a rainy day or simply a change of scene.
Cycling through North Holland
The area is perfect for cyclists. The cycle network is excellent and takes you through varied landscapes: from dune valleys and woods to polders and picturesque villages.
No bike with you? You can easily hire a bike, an e-bike or a kickbike scooter at several rental points nearby.
Our favourite cycle routes
- Coastal route to Petten: past the new dunes and wide beaches
- Loop through the Schoorl Dunes: a mix of woods, heath and open dunes
- Hargen, Bergen aan Zee: quiet, with views over the dune valleys
- Camperduin loop: along medieval paths and flower-rich meadows
With children
Camperduin and the surrounding area are ideal for families. Between the beach, the Klimduin and the play woods, no afternoon is the same, and on rainy days children love a trip to the Sea Aquarium or a treasure hunt through the dunes.
The lagoon is especially suitable for little ones: shallow and calm. Always keep an eye on them, as there is no lifeguard at the lagoon.
Top 8 for families
- Play ship on the beach at Camperduin
- Lagoon: shallow water to play in and paddleboard
- Klimduin in Schoorl: endless climbing in the sand
- Gnome Trail and Fairy Door Route in the Schoorl Dunes
- Zandspoor play wood
- Sea Aquarium in Bergen aan Zee
- Surf lessons for children at Hookipa Beach
- Horse riding at Duinmanege Poelenburgh
Water sports at Camperduin
Activities on the beach and in the water:
- Stand-up paddleboarding on the lagoon
- Surfing and kitesurfing
- Kayaking
- Surf rafting
- Play ship for children
- Beach wheelchair de Jutter available
Lessons and rentals through Hookipa Beach and De Jongens uit Schoorl.
Practical information
- Nearest supermarket: Jumbo Schoorl (about 5 minutes by bike)
- Beach: within easy reach, approx. 2,500 parking spaces
- Beach pavilions: Struin (at Camperduin) and pavilion Hargen aan Zee
- Schoorl Dunes Visitor Centre: Heereweg 62, Schoorl, daily 10:00 to 17:00, free entry
- Public transport: Bus 151 from Alkmaar station, stop right outside (Heereweg)
- Beach wheelchair de Jutter: available to borrow at beach pavilion Struin and Hargen aan Zee