Texel is a popular island with dog owners and we understand that! There is endless beach, forest and the dog is allowed to run free in many places. Are you coming this way soon? Then we have five hiking tips for you.

1. Beach walk with the dog

Texel's beach is no less than 30 kilometres long. On most of it, dogs are allowed to run free all year round. In the summer period, it is not allowed to let the dog loose on the guarded parts of the beach (at paal 9, paal 12, paal 15, paal 17, paal 20, paal 21 and paal 28). This is also indicated on the signs at the beach entrances. These popular beaches are naturally more crowded in summer, so a dog running loose quickly causes a nuisance. You can take your dog for a bit on a leash and let it loose once you have passed the guarded area. Here you will find peace and quiet and space and the dog can play, run and swim. At De Hors beach, dogs must be kept on a leash year round. A great beach to visit with your dog is the wide beach near the lighthouse. Dogs are allowed to run free here all year round. On the stretch between Paal 12 and Paal 15 you can also take a long (off-leash) walk.

2. Walk in the woods with the dog

The largest forest on Texel is called De Dennen. It starts just above Den Hoorn and ends near De Muy. This forest is largely off-leash. There are some playing fields and areas where cattle live, where it is indicated that the dog must be kept on a leash. In De Dennen, you can walk together for hours. There are small winding paths, wide lanes and muddy ditches. A dog's paradise! In the north of the island you will find the Krimbos. This is a smaller, fairly new forest. Here too, dogs are allowed off-leash, with the exception of a few (marked) spots.

3. Walking routes where dogs are allowed

Our website contains many walking routes that you can also walk with your dog. Choose, for example, Rondje Hanenpad en Krimbos (6 km), Kinderroute klimmen en spelen (2.7 km), Hiking route Het avontuurlijke zuiden (3.8 km), Hiking route De Muy en De Slufter (11 km) or Hiking route Door de Eierlandse Duinen (6 km). On the first two routes, the dog can run free for part of the way. All routes can be downloaded free of charge.

4. Quiet places to walk

Do you prefer to meet as few people or other dogs as possible during your walk? Then it is best to set off early. In the early morning, you often meet literally no dogs. If you would like to sleep in, you can opt for a rural walk between the Hoge Berg's tuun walls. Here, the dog is not allowed to run loose because of the many sheep and other flora and fauna, but you can walk beautifully together. Another walking area where it is often quiet is the Bleekersvallei. Outside the breeding season, dogs are allowed to run free here and you can make a nice combination of forest, heathland, dunes and beach if you walk on from De Dennen to the beach at Paal 15.

5. Unique spots

Texel has a few unique spots that are great fun to explore with the dog. For example, go to Ceres, a smaller stretch of beach on the Wadden Sea side of the island. The sea is often calm here, making it a nice and safe place to cool off (together) in the sea. The Wadden beach (De Hornt) near Oudeschild is also suitable for this. You can't walk here, but there is enough space for a sprint or a refreshing dip. Also near Oudeschild you will find Fort De Schans. A historic spot managed by Natuurmonumenten, where you can take a nice walk. Dogs are allowed to run free at these three places, provided they are well-behaved and dog poop is cleaned up.

In conclusion

Many holidaymakers and Texelaars enjoy the island with their dogs. That is why it is extra important to follow the rules, to always clean up dog faeces and to ensure that others are not bothered by your dog running loose. We must protect island animals such as breeding birds, lambs and seals. If everyone takes this into account, there is a good chance that Texel will remain that nice place for dog and owner.

More tips for a holiday with the dog