Het Korfwater is home to a wet dune valley in the southern part of the Pettemerduinen. You can experience the area in different ways: on foot along the beach and through the dune valleys, or on a longer cycling route along the Hondsbossche Duinen into the hinterland. Korfwater Beach and the nearby Atelier de Zeehaas also add coastal and artistic dimensions to this landscape.

A landscape on several scales

The Pettemerduinen form a long, narrow strip of dunes between the Zwanenwater and the Hondsbossche Zeewering. In the southern part of this strip of dunes, Het Korfwater is home to a wet dune valley. This brings two scales together: the Pettemerduinen refers to the longer stretch of dunes between the two named boundaries, while the wet dune valley is a specific landscape feature in Het Korfwater. The Hondsbossche Duinen is a newly created landscape. Together, these terms show that the landscape descriptions refer to different forms and spatial scales, rather than just a single beach experience.

Compare walking and cycling

The blue walking route from Petten is 5.8 kilometres long and runs along the beach and through the dune valleys of Het Korfwater. It thus connects two specifically named types of terrain in a single route. The red walking route passes Abtskolk, an area rich in birdlife, in the Petten area. This pool is the remnant of a breach that occurred in 1570. The walking options therefore differ in focus, too: the blue route connects the beach and dune valleys, while the red route takes in the birdlife at Abtskolk and a historical feature of the landscape. A route at the northern edge of the Pettemerduinen leads back via the Zijperzeedijk. The 18-kilometre GPS cycling route “Sea, Dune, Dike and Polder” follows the new cycle path along the Hondsbossche Duinen into the hinterland. Compared with the blue walking route, it is longer and uses a different mode of transport. The distances provide a concrete basis for matching your preferred tour length with a choice between walking and cycling. Check local route signs before setting out, as routes may change.

Korfwater Beach and the dog rule

Korfwater Beach is at beach access 16, between Petten and Sint Maartenszee. The designated off-leash area is approximately 2 km long. Dogs may run off leash on Korfwater Beach all year round; check the signs on site, as local rules and notices take precedence.

An artistic theme in the area

Nearby is Atelier de Zeehaas, an art studio where seascapes are painted in oil. Visiting hours are listed as Saturday and Sunday afternoons from 12:00 to 17:00, as well as weekday visits by appointment. Check in advance whether a visit is possible on your chosen date.

Discover more destinations: Petten, Sint Maartenszee, Sint Maartensbrug, Sint Maartensvlotbrug, Oudesluis, Callantsoog, Burgerbrug, 'T Zand

For the overview of the wider area: Zijpe.