A 3-Day Walking Route in Noord-Holland: Haarlem to Egmond

Day 1: Haarlem to Castricum (19 km)

This follows the Hollands Kustpad (LAW 5-1), a national long-distance path waymarked with white-and-red stripes. Start at Haarlem station, walk west through the Kenaupark and into the Zuid-Kennemerland National Park via Overveen. The path climbs into the highest coastal dunes in the country and drops to the sea at Parnassia beach around km 8. Lunch there or at Bloemendaal aan Zee. The afternoon runs north along the beach to Wijk aan Zee if the tide allows, or along the dune path if not. Sleep at Hotel Fabrice in Castricum, a 20-minute detour inland from the trail.

Day 2: Castricum to Bergen aan Zee (17 km)

Rejoin the trail at Castricum aan Zee and continue north through the Noordhollands Duinreservaat. This is quieter than day one, with more heath and less forest. Watch for the Scottish Highland cattle that graze the reserve. The trail crosses the dune tops with sea views on the left the whole way. Reach Egmond aan Zee for a late lunch of kibbeling at De Vergulde Valk, then continue 3 km inland to Bergen. Sleep at Parkhotel Bergen or Hotel Marijke.

Day 3: Bergen to Schoorl (16 km) and train home

The final day climbs the Schoorlse Duinen, the tallest and widest dune belt in the Netherlands. The trail loops through pine forest planted in the 1920s to stop the sand from burying villages. End in Schoorl centre with a beer at Klimduin, then bus 155 back to Alkmaar station (25 minutes) and train home. Total for three days: 52 km, roughly 14 hours of walking, and you have crossed the entire dune coast of Noord-Holland on foot.