Kootwijker Sand

The nature reserve covers 700 hectares and is located in the western part of the Veluwe, within the much larger Kootwijk forest area (about 3600 ha) near Kootwijk. To the south of Kootwijkerzand lies Harskampse Zand, and to the east is the village of Radio Kootwijk. Approximately ten kilometers southwest of the Veluwe, southwest of the village of Wekerom, is the more than 500-hectare Wekeromse Zand, which includes a smaller dune area (100 ha).

To keep the sand of Kootwijkerzand in motion, management measures must be taken regularly, otherwise, moss growth will stabilize the sand. This is a result of nitrogen deposition from the air. Algae, mosses, lichens, and higher plants can thus thrive vigorously in the naturally nutrient-poor sand. Characteristic of Kootwijkerzand are the irregularly shaped pines.

On the open area of Kootwijkerzand, temperatures can rise up to 60 degrees Celsius, while night temperatures can drop below 0 degrees even in summer.[1] In the Veluwe, there were charcoal burners who colored the soil red through the conversion of iron.

On Kootwijkerzand, there is a lookout tower that is freely accessible to visitors.