The true holiday feeling begins as soon as you board the ferry to Texel. It makes no difference whether this Wadden Island is the starting or ending point of your walks on the North Holland Trail. Either way, you will enjoy the sheep, grassy dikes, local produce, flowers, meadow birds, and the view over the Wadden Sea. You might even spot a seal.
Now that you are on Texel, it is best to combine the two stages here. Or, if you are staying longer, you can divide them into three walks. That way, you will have more time to visit the villages along the route or enjoy a nice lunch along the way. The nice thing about these stages is that you will explore the interior of Texel. This part of the island is much less well-known than the beaches and the Wadden Sea coast. Even in the high season, you can fully enjoy the peace and space on Texel along the Noord-Hollandpad.
Texel Lighthouse
The stage begins north of De Cocksdorp on Vuurtorenweg. The Texelhopper takes you to the lighthouse. From there, you walk to the information panel on De Volharding, near the roundabout, but not before taking a look at the striking lighthouse. It is the only one in the Netherlands where you can look out over the sea from three sides. If you wish, you can climb the 118 steps. Enjoy the sea and the beautiful skies for a moment, then continue walking towards the Eierlandse polder. Bring a well-stocked backpack, as there are no places to get something to eat or drink along the way. Only on the Hollandseweg do you pass the Labora ice cream farm, and further along, residents have set up a small wooden hut. Here you can make your own coffee, tea, or instant soup. You cross the Eierlands Canal using a rope-pull ferry. Sometimes sheep farmer Henk is present to help you, but otherwise, you can manage perfectly well on your own.
Typical Texel nature and beer
Now you continue walking along a kilometers-long grassy dike full of Texel sheep. As soon as they see you coming, they move aside. Further on lies the Waalenburg nature reserve, the oldest meadow bird reserve in the Netherlands. Here you can enjoy unique protected nature, with meadow birds and special flowers. You walk through brightly colored meadows with orchids, yellow rattle, and cuckoo flowers. A piece of typical Texel nature. You will surely be glad to refill your bottle at Natuurboerderij Plassendaal for the final stretch to the former fishing village of De Waal. A beautiful village with a special church, characteristic houses, a nice museum about the history of Texel, and a few pleasant terraces. A good place to end the day with a Skuumkoppe, a real Texel beer.
