Top 20 Lakes around Dongen

Scottish Highlanders help Natuurmonumenten manage their nature reserves. And this also applies to Huis ter Heide. You can encounter them in various places – and sometimes you won't. The Scottish Highlander is an iconic cattle breed from Scotland, immediately recognizable by its long, curved horns and thick, shaggy coat. These animals are excellently adapted to cold, wet climates and are known for their calm temperament. To prepare for the scarce winter months, Highlanders eat themselves full in the summer and autumn. This way, they start the winter well-fatted. With their grazing, they ensure that the landscape remains open and varied with many birds, butterflies, and special plants. Source and more info: https://www.natuurmonumenten.nl/dieren/schotse-hooglander

Special to see the Scottish highlanders like this..

Beautiful area, parts of the route are not accessible until mid-July 2025, boardwalk is broken.

The Kaatsheuvel ice rink is not a natural fen. The lake was dug by human hands. During the crisis years 1929-1940, the government looked for a job creation project to help the unemployed find work. The municipality of Loon op Zand had an idea: an ice rink to offer residents some winter fun during those economically difficult years. The construction of the ice rink started in 1933 under the direction of the Nederlandsche Heidemaatschappij. Excavators already existed, but to keep the employees busy, the excavation work could not be completed too quickly. All the sand had to be dug out with a shovel, the local history society reported on the board. “And are removed with wheelbarrows.” The ice rink was festively opened on January 27, 1934. An ice club was also founded. That first winter there were already more than 4,000 skaters on the ice. Animals also benefit The ice rink brought fun not only to residents of the region. Animals also benefited from excavating the lake, says Natuurmonumenten. Outside the skating season, birds, insects and other animals would benefit from the water in the otherwise dry drifting sand area of the Loonse and Drunense Duinen. The Kaatsheuvel ice rink can hardly be called a real ice rink anymore. The ice club was defunct in 1950 and in recent years, due to the mild winters, there is hardly any skating on the lake. But if it is possible, the skates are still tied.

Older residents know: The "Kaatsheuvelse Ijsbaan" is not a natural body of water, it was dug by human hands. During the crisis years 1929 - 1940 the government looked for a project to create jobs for the unemployed. The municipality of Loon op Zand had an idea: an ice rink to offer residents some winter fun during these difficult economic years. Construction of the ice rink began in 1933 under the direction of the Nederlandse Heidemaatsschappij. Excavators already existed, but in order to keep the workers busy, the excavation work should not be completed too quickly. All the sand had to be dug out with shovels and then carted away with wheelbarrows. The ice rink was officially opened on January 27, 1934 and an ice sports club was founded. In the first winter there were about 4,000 skaters on the ice. Over the decades, the artificial lake developed into an important place for birds, insects and other animals, which found a watering hole in this otherwise mostly dry shifting sand area.

You can wander endlessly here. Between the water. The birds and Highlanders.

Impressive beasts. Respect for the animals. Some block the path. Then I walked past it. But not looked at. And don't stand still either.

There is also a stork colony.