Salt marsh cycling tour

Drive out of the village via the Reeweg on the south side. In the polder, drive straight on to the dike. Here you turn left. You can choose here; or on the polder side, or on the mudflat side. There are many birds in the polder, especially in the winter half of the year and during high water. The mudflat side is more interesting at low tide. Note the many wheatears (spring and autumn) and shore pipits (winter) on the stone blocks. In the spring, there is a colony of gulls on the inside of the transfer area, near the jetty. Cross the road and choose again: the inside or outside. The mudflats slowly merge into the salt marsh. In some years, arctic terns breed on the salt marsh. In winter, merlins and peregrine falcons hunt here. Cross the dike and descend via the shell path to the salt marsh. Turn right at the three-fork. The salt marsh is grazed by young cattle from the island farmers. As a result, plant growth is varied. May and June are the most beautiful months with pink fields full of English grass in bloom. From the end of February, countless skylarks jubilate high in the sky. Follow the cycle path over a small bridge to the point where the path ends at a bicycle shed. You can take a short walk (about 1 kilometer) to the beacon of the Kobbeduinen. From here you have a beautiful view of the Oosterkwelder, even if the area is closed during the breeding season. With a bit of luck you will see hen harrier on spoonbill. In September there are many meadow mushrooms. Go back onto the bike path. Now turn right. At the crossroads, keep right, the Johannes de Jongpad. The salt marsh is less often flooded by the sea here. The stiff sea rus and man-sized reeds form large fields in which greylag goose and bittern breed. Dead willows and birches remind us of the winter of 2007, when the sea did reach here. The cycle path ends at an asphalt road, the Prins Bernhardweg. Turn left here. The Prins Bernhardweg is the boundary of the salt water at high tides. On the left are a few beautiful vistas of dune valleys. The dune fritillary is still common here in June. The roadsides are most beautiful in June and July. There are then various tall yellow plants (stable candle, mullein and evening primrose) and the blue-purple snake herb. On the left is the Wassermannbunker. Park the bike at the parking and walk upstairs. In clear weather you have a beautiful view of the island. Birds of prey often fly around here, such as buzzard and harrier and hen harrier. North of the bunker lies a colony of gulls in the bare dunes. Follow the Prince Bernhardweg. After a steep climb and descent you drive straight on to the village. At the edge of the village, follow the road to the left and then to the right. You are now driving through the Langestreek into the village. Special Schiermonnikoog and Wadden Sea books, delicious island delicacies and more at www.schiermonnikoogshop.nl.