The Bleekersvallei, located in Texel Dunes National Park, is a varied nature area consisting of heathland and dunes. It is located right at the edge of the woods and you can walk straight through to the sea.

History

The Bleekersvallei, which means bleachvalley, comes from two bleaching mills. They where located here until the 18th century, in the east of this dune area. At the time, the linen spun on Texel was bleached in these bleaching mills. The landscape has had a more or less constant shape for several centuries. In most places, the dunes here are older than 200 years and decalcified, which means that a lot of heather now grows here.

Nature

Behind the sea verge, you will find not only heather but also elder bushes and sea buckthorns. The area attracts many different insect species and is known for its rich collection of rare mushrooms, including colourful wax plates. However, the decline in rabbit numbers in recent decades has made the vegetation more rugged, resulting in fewer rabbit burrows. This is particularly detrimental to birds such as shelducks, burrowing pigeons and wheatears, which use these abandoned burrows as nesting sites. Besides birds, Bleekersvallei is home to butterflies, sandpipers, anteaters, water shrews, root voles, wheatears, burrowing pigeons, gulls, harriers, short-eared owls, shrikes and black-headed gulls.

With the dog

The Bleekersvallei is a lovely place to walk the dog. You can lengthen the walk by including a part of the forest or the beach. Or why not do both? Please note: from March to September, dogs must be kept on a leash here due to the breeding season.

More nature reserves on Texel