You can walk to your heart's content during the island's bird nesting season too. This lasts from 1 March to 1 September every year. However, to give the birds some peace at this important time of year, several footpaths - the so-called green footpaths - are closed and dogs must be kept on a lead.

Green footpaths

The green footpaths in the Dune of Texel National Park are identified by green-topped posts or pictograms. During the nesting season, birds like the curlew, which don't like to nest close to paths, need to be left in peace. This doesn't mean that you won't be able to take a look around the nesting areas if you are careful. The Dutch forestry commission continues to organise a large number of trips during this period. Please register for these trips via Ecomare. Outside the nesting season, the green paths are the ones to take for anyone wanting an adventurous walking option. You'll often find boots very handy on these routes.

Most green paths are open again from 1 August onwards. The opening date for the Slag door de Mandenvalleien, in the Eierland dunes, is a little later than this. Walkers will only be able to use this path again from 16 August onwards. The opening date for the Slag achter de Geul is 1 September, as this is where the spoonbill has its nest site.

Dogs on the lead

Dogs must be kept on the lead throughout the Dunes of Texel National Park, including the De Hors beach, from 1 March to 1 September. The following exceptions apply:

• De Dennen, between the Jan Ayeslag, the Natte Vlakweg, the Randweg and the Californiëweg, except in the pasture area near the Ploegelanden.
• The Krimbos.

Dogs must be kept on the lead at all times in the playing fields in the woodland areas. Another thing to bear in minder: dogs must be kept on the paths wherever walkers are expected to keep to the paths too. Read here where to leash your dog and where free walking is allowed.