You can get to the sea and the quiet beach on foot or by bicycle, making your way through the dunes that are stocked with Scottish Highland cows and wild horses. There is plenty of opportunity for going on long walks along the many different trails. Swimming is available in nearby Bergen aan Zee and Egmond aan Zee.
On a bicycle you can explore the dunes in a northerly direction, all the way to the Hondsbossche Zeewering – an ancient seawall that is now being protected by a new line of dunes. Going south, the dunes reach almost to the Noordzeekanaal (the canal connecting Amsterdam to the North Sea). For the so-called Waterleidingduinen (the dunes from Bergen to Wijk aan Zee, around IJmuiden and Zandvoort, and by Heemskerk) an access permit is required.
From Alkmaar you can, by bicycle, visit the land of Leeghwater, which consists of a series of polders that were created in the 17th century. Starting in the town of Schoorl, you can travel along the western reaches of the Omringdijk, a circular dyke system that was built in 1250 to protect this part of West Frisia.
Not far from the Zandvogel there are stables where you can rent horses and explore the country on horseback. For food and relaxation you may go to the nearby Gasterij ‘t Woud, an eatery that also has a small playground.
