A lighthouse with two names, a fort dating from the Napoleonic era and a church whose origins date back to around the year 1000 give Huisduinen a clear historical focus. The Grafelijkheidsduinen offer opportunities for walks and hiking; large numbers of birds can be found in the Huisduinerpolder during high tides in spring and autumn.

Fort Kijkduin and the Bunker Route

Between 1811 and 1813, Fort Kijkduin was built on the orders of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte as part of the Stelling van Den Helder. The fort is an important part of Den Helder’s fortifications and holds great significance in Dutch military history. It offers a historical museum, the North Sea Aquarium, underground passageways and a bunker route.

The Den Helder Bunker Route is a walking route through Huisduinen and Den Helder that takes visitors to seven sites associated with the Second World War. It begins at Galgenveld, where the Atlantikwall Centrum is now located. The centre is housed in a historic building from the Second World War and presents Den Helder’s role in the German defensive line. During opening hours, it offers a daily photo puzzle trail for children.

Church and Culture

Since 1896, the Huisduiner Kerkje has been at the heart of Huisduinen. Its origins date back approximately to the year 1000, when Huisduinen was still an island. Listed as a provincial monument, the small church has a valuable historic interior that includes an organ. After restoration, it took on a new role as a cultural centre and is used for concerts, readings and exhibitions. The specific programme may vary.

Kijkduin Lighthouse

The Huisduinen lighthouse is officially called Kijkduin and is colloquially known as Lange Jaap. It has sixteen sides and is made of cast iron. At 55.5 metres, it is the tallest operational lighthouse in the Netherlands. It is also part of a coastal lighthouse system that guides shipping to and through the Schulpengat.

Dune Paths and Wildlife Watching

Around Huisduinen, the Grafelijkheidsduinen offer opportunities for walks and to observe mosses and birds around the Harmplas dune lake. Several hiking trails pass through dune slopes covered in moss. Birds that can be spotted in the Grafelijkheidsduinen include red-necked grebes, northern wheatears and woodlarks.

One specific route option around Huisduinen is the red Grafelijkheidsduinen Route, which is 8.72 kilometres long. It follows the edge of the dunes to Fort Kijkduin in Huisduinen. The route therefore offers a clearly defined distance, while wildlife watching in the surrounding area offers a range of different points of interest.

The Huisduinerpolder, covering approximately 40 hectares, is an NNN nature reserve between Huisduinen, Fort Erfprins and the sea dike. The vegetation in this marshy landscape reflects the brackish influence of North Sea water. Large numbers of curlews, sandpipers and oystercatchers can be found there during high tides in spring and autumn.

If you are comparing nature-related options for your stay, the red route has a published distance, while the birdlife mentioned in the polder is associated with high tides in spring and autumn. This gives you both a specific route and a seasonal wildlife-watching opportunity to consider when planning.

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