View tower Middelduinen - Ouddorp

If you are lucky enough to be out and about on a moonlit night, you really should go to the Middelduinen. It doesn't necessarily have to be a fully full moon, although those are ideal conditions to get a good look at the herd of Charolais cattle. In the cool moonlight, the white fur of these coarsely built French beef cattle takes on a strange, almost unearthly radiance. Scattered in the dune landscape, the collection of cattle looks Biblical, as they ruminate standing and lying there. This goes on day and night.

It can be difficult to track the animals for a while, even though they are so big and clumsy. The watchtower at junction 55 can serve well in that respect. You are not allowed to enter the area itself between sunset and sunrise.
Take note: the calves are sometimes brown and the roar of the rutting bulls is impressive. Usually, however, there is nothing to disturb the nocturnal peace. Highly recommended!

Photo: Matthijs Termeer