De Zoom - Kalmthoutse Heide

De Zoom - Kalmthoutse Heide is a cross-border nature park straddling the Belgian-Dutch border, near the town of Ossendrecht. The protected area was formed by merging two previously separately managed parks: the Belgian Kalmthoutse Heide (Kalmthout Heath) and the Dutch De Zoom. Together they form one of the larger heathland complexes in Western Europe, covering roughly 37.5 square kilometres in total.

What can visitors find in the park?

The landscape of De Zoom - Kalmthoutse Heide is dominated by extensive heathland, which gives the area its distinctive appearance and much of its ecological value. Open, heather-covered stretches alternate with patches of woodland, inland dunes, and wetter low-lying sections, creating a mosaic of habitats suited to species adapted to this particular type of ecosystem.

Why is the park cross-border?

A defining feature of this area is that it sits precisely on the national border between Belgium and the Netherlands. Historically, the land on each side of the border was managed as two entirely separate parks - the Belgian Kalmthoutse Heide and the Dutch De Zoom - each under the nature conservation authorities of its own country. Over time, the two areas were joined conceptually and operationally into a single cross-border park, making it easier to protect the continuity of the heathland ecosystem, which of course pays no attention to lines drawn by people on a map.

What is the ecological significance of this place?

Heathlands of this kind are increasingly rare and threatened habitats in Western Europe, largely due to changes in land use, afforestation, and urbanisation. The considerable size of De Zoom - Kalmthoutse Heide allows the park to play an important role in preserving this type of landscape at scale, something far harder to achieve in smaller, fragmented reserves. The cross-border cooperation between Belgium and the Netherlands in managing the area is also a useful example of how nature conservation can extend beyond national administrative boundaries.

Who is this destination for?

The wide, open heathland stretches attract people looking for a break from city life - walkers, cyclists, and nature observers alike. The distinctive scenery, especially during the heather flowering season, produces views typical of this part of Europe, quite different from the more forested or mountainous landscapes found elsewhere. Its proximity to Ossendrecht on the Dutch side makes it a convenient base for anyone exploring the Belgian-Dutch border region.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is De Zoom - Kalmthoutse Heide located? The park lies on the border between Belgium and the Netherlands, near the town of Ossendrecht on the Dutch side and Kalmthout on the Belgian side.

How large is the protected area? The park covers approximately 37.5 square kilometres in total, making it one of the larger heathland areas in the region.

How did this park come into being? It was formed by merging two separate parks - the Belgian Kalmthoutse Heide and the Dutch De Zoom - which were previously managed independently on either side of the border.

What is the park's main natural attraction? The extensive heathland, which covers much of the area and creates the open, characteristic landscape typical of this part of Western Europe.

Can the park be visited from both sides of the border? Yes, its cross-border nature means it can be accessed from either Belgium or the Netherlands, with the administrative border posing no barrier to visitors.