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Sat, 12 Sept
|Texel Island - See Description for Details
Expats Walking Geeks - Texel Island & NP Duinen van Texel
Expat Walking Geeks are celebrating their first anniversary with a day trip to Texel. Join for a fantastic day exploring the largest of Wadden Islands. Texel offers an incredible mix of peaceful nature, picturesque villages, maritime history, local food, wildlife and spectacular coastal scenery.
Date and Time
12 Sept 2026, 10:00
Texel Island - See Description for Details
About the Meetup
Expat Walking Geeks - Texel Island & NP Duinen van Texel
Date: Saturday, 12 September 2026
Time: We start walking at 10.00 – please arrive a few minutes early
Start Location: De Krim Texel (SPAR) car park, Roggeslootweg 14, 1795 JV De Cocksdorp
Google Maps: https://shorturl.at/hKX1n
GPS: 53°09'05.8"N 4°51'29.7"E
Distance: 5 km
Only registered participants can join this walk; no confirmed registration = no walk! No walk-ins allowed! Register via FB Messenger or email: expatswalkinggeeks@gmail.com
Limited places, first come → first served.
Bring comfy shoes, water, your favourite snack and a rain jacket or umbrella; rain or shine, we’re going!
Dogs are welcome but cannot go on a beach! Please keep them on a leash in certain areas indicated by signs.
Participants arrange their own transport.
Carpooling can be organised in the Event Discussion section where participants are welcome to post if they can offer a ride or if they need one.
Public transport
→ by bus or train to Den Helder
→ board bus line 33 to the TESO ferry port
→ buy a TESO boat ticket online or at TESO ticket office
→ from the ferry travel by Connexxion bus
Participation is entirely at your own risk.
Expat Walking Geeks - Texel Island
We are celebrating our first anniversary with a day trip to Texel. Join us for a fantastic day exploring the largest of the Dutch Wadden Islands. Texel offers an incredible mix of peaceful nature, picturesque villages, maritime history, local food, wildlife and spectacular coastal scenery.
TEXEL & DUNES OF TEXEL NATIONAL PARK
Texel is the largest of the Dutch Wadden Islands, measuring approximately 20 km long and 8 km wide. Although relatively small, it offers an astonishing diversity of landscapes, from wide sandy beaches and towering dunes to forests, salt marshes, heathland, farmland and charming villages.
Almost the entire western coastline forms part of the NP Duinen van Texel, one of the Netherlands' most important protected nature reserves. The eastern coast borders the UNESCO World Heritage listed Wadden Sea, an extraordinary tidal ecosystem where millions of migratory birds stop each year during their journeys between Europe and Africa.
The NP Dunes of Texel was established in 2002 and stretches along almost the entire western coast of the island, covering approximately 43 km². It protects a remarkable variety of landscapes, including sand dunes, forests, heathland, salt marshes and wide sandy beaches. Rich in wildlife, the park is home to numerous bird species, rabbits, Highland cattle and the island's famous Texel sheep, making it one of the Netherlands' most beautiful natural areas. The scenery transforms throughout the year. In late summer the heath turns deep purple, autumn brings morning mist and golden colours, while spring fills the wetlands and meadows with fresh greenery and wildlife activity.
OUR DAY TRIP ITINERARY
Natuurgebied Dorpzicht
From De Krim we begin our walk by following the green Noord-Hollandpad walking signs towards De Cocksdorp. After passing through this charming village and visiting its small harbour, we continue along the Dorpzicht Nature area, enjoying approximately 5 km of peaceful walking through open meadows, canals and traditional Texel farmland. This easy route offers beautiful views across the polders and the Wadden landscape. We’ll keep an eye out for the island's famous Texel sheep, grazing cattle, wild geese and, with a bit of luck, spoonbills, oystercatchers and other wading birds.
Our walk includes a delicious stop at Farm Labora, where we'll treat ourselves to homemade artisan ice cream made from fresh milk produced on the farm. We'll also have the opportunity to peek inside the modern dairy barn, where around 120 cows are milked fully automatically by robotic milking systems - an impressive example of innovative Dutch farming.
After completing our walk, we'll continue by car to one of Texel's most iconic landmarks:
Texel Lighthouse (Vuurtoren Texel)
Standing proudly at the island's northern tip since 1864, the bright red lighthouse offers spectacular views over both the North Sea and the UNESCO listed Wadden Sea. Those wishing to climb to the top can ascend 118 steps.
Ecomare
Ecomare is far more than a seal sanctuary It is a rescue and rehabilitation centre where injured, orphaned and sick seals, seabirds and other marine wildlife from the North Sea and the Wadden Sea are cared for before being returned to their natural habitat whenever possible.
Those who choose not to visit Texel Lighthouse and/or Ecomare can instead enjoy a relaxing stroll along the nearby North Sea beach (weather permitting), taking in the fresh sea air and beautiful coastal scenery or unwind in a nearby café while waiting for the rest of the group to finish their visit.
Wezenspyk Cheese Farm & Sheep Museum
We’ll discover how traditional Texel cheeses are made, watch artisan cheesemaking, enjoy cheese tastings and browse the farm shop full of local delicacies. Right next door is the charming Sheep Museum where we can learn about the island's long farming tradition. Admission to the museum is free.
Historic Harbour of Oudeschild
We'll then head to Oudeschild, the island's historic fishing harbour. Although today it is a peaceful harbour village, during the Dutch Golden Age it played an important role in world trade. Ships of the Dutch East India Company (VOC) anchored here at the famous Rede van Texel, taking on fresh water, food and supplies before beginning their long voyages to Asia. Today the harbour still welcomes fishing boats landing fresh seafood and retains its authentic maritime atmosphere.
Texel Brewery
Our next stop celebrates another island speciality - Texel beer. Texel is home to three breweries each producing distinctive craft beers inspired by the island's landscapes and traditions. We'll stop for a refreshing drink and have the opportunity to browse the brewery shop for some authentic Texel souvenirs. Several beers are available throughout the Netherlands, but some seasonal varieties are brewed exclusively on the island and can only be purchased here.
WWII Bunker & Loodsmansduin Viewpoint
Our final destination takes us to the peaceful dunes near Den Hoorn. Hidden among the sand dunes is a WW II bunker that once formed part of the Atlantic Wall, the enormous German coastal defence system stretching from Norway to Spain. Texel played an important strategic role during the war and more than 500 bunkers were constructed across the island. Many still remain hidden beneath the dunes, silent reminders of a turbulent period in European history. Just a short walk away lies Loodsmansduin, one of Texel's highest viewpoints. From here we can enjoy sweeping views across the North Sea, the dunes, the Bollekamer nature reserve and the picturesque village of Den Hoorn. It provides a peaceful and fitting end to our day on the island. Free admission.
Highlights of the walk include:
De Cocksdorp village and harbour
Walk Natuurgebied Dorpzicht
traditional grazing Texelaar sheep
Farm Labora
Texel Lighthouse
Ecomare
Wezenspyk Cheese Farm & Sheep Museum
Historic Harbour of Oudeschild
Texel Brewery
WWII Bunker De Hoorn
Loodsmansduin Viewpoint
IMPORTANT
Carpooling is strongly recommended!
TESO FERRY
The ferry ticket is charged per vehicle (including all passengers), so sharing a car makes the journey much cheaper and is also better for the environment.
The ferry from Den Helder to Texel operates every 30 minutes and the crossing takes approximately 20 minutes.
No reservation is required, but purchasing your ticket online in advance is recommended.
The ferry costs €48 per car (return journey, including all passengers). If four people share a car, the cost is just €12 per person. This makes carpooling the most economical and environmentally friendly way to travel to Texel.
PARKING ON TEXEL
Parking on Texel requires a digital Texelvignet, which costs €20 per day per vehicle and is valid across most villages, beaches and nature areas on the island. Purchasing it online in advance is recommended. If four people share a car, the parking cost is only €5 per person.
TEXEL LIGHTHOUSE AND ECOMARE TICKETS
Admission to the Texel Lighthouse (€6.50) and Ecomare (€17) is optional and not included in the trip. Participants are free to decide on the day whether they would like to visit either attraction.
Teso Ferry
Texel Parking
Texel – public transport from/to Den Helder
https://www.texel.net/en/to-texel/public-transport/
https://www.texelhopper.nl/en/tickets/individual-tickets
Texel Lighthouse
Ecomare
Kaasboerderij Wezenspyk
Texel Brewery
De Hoorn WWII bunker