The legendary myth of the completely flat country
Everyone knows the classic postcard image of the Netherlands. It features endless flat fields green pastures and cows standing beside quiet canals. Foreigners often assume the entire country was leveled with a giant steamroller centuries ago.
However standing on the coast near Ouddorp paints a completely different picture. The coastal landscape here features rolling sand dunes with noticeable slopes and dips. You might even find yourself catching your breath after walking up a particularly steep dune path.
Wild sand dunes standing guard along the coast
These coastal dunes are nature built barriers that protect the low lying hinterland from sea waves. Over centuries strong sea winds pushed mountains of soft sand into dramatic rolling landscapes. They create a scenic environment filled with steep grassy slopes and winding trails.
Walking through the dunes near Ouddorp feels surprisingly dynamic. One minute you are looking up at a towering ridge of sand and the next you are gazing down into a sheltered grassy valley. It proves that Dutch topography has plenty of character if you look in the right places.
The highest hill on the European mainland
If you want to find the ultimate high point of the mainland you must travel far southeast to Limburg. Nestled right in the corner of the country lies the famous Vaalserberg. Rising to a modest 322 meters above sea level it holds the title of the tallest hill in the European Netherlands.
The Vaalserberg is also famous for hosting the Drielandenpunt where the borders of the Netherlands Belgium and Germany meet. Locals proudly refer to it as a mountain although mountain climbers from Switzerland would likely burst into laughter at the sight of it. Still it offers lovely views over green rolling countryside.
A secret Caribbean volcano takes the ultimate crown
The story of Dutch elevation gets even more ridiculous if you include overseas territories. In 210 the Caribbean island of Saba became a special municipality within the country. Sitting quietly in the tropical waters is Mount Scenery a dormant volcano that reaches 887 meters into the sky.
This tropical giant easily steals the crown as the highest point in the entire Kingdom. Therefore the next time someone claims the Netherlands is flat you can correct them with confidence. You can point out their coastal dune slopes their triple border hill and their secret Caribbean volcano.
