Vuurtoren to Nes via Hollumerbosch and De Schuur

This is a flat, sea-level island walk of about 21 km / 13.0 mi with roughly 0 m / 0 ft of elevation gain—easy on the legs, but very exposed to wind, sand, and weather. You’ll start beside Ameland’s iconic lighthouse in Hollum and finish in the lively village of Nes, crossing a mix of dune edges, planted coastal forest (Hollumerbos/Hollumerbosch), sandy tracks, and village paths.

Start point (nearest landmark/address): Vuurtoren (Bornrif) Ameland, Oranjeweg 57, 9161 CB Hollum. ([vvvameland.nl](https://www.vvvameland.nl/praktisch/algemeen/dorpen-ameland/hollum/vuurtoren-ameland?utm_source=openai)) Finish point (nearest landmark): Nes village centre (postcode area 9163), Ameland—handy for shops, cafés, and onward bus connections. ([vvvameland.com](https://www.vvvameland.com/practical/general/villages/nes/over-nes?utm_source=openai))

Getting to the start (car + public transport)

By car (on the island): - Aim for Parking lot Lighthouse Hollum, Oranjeweg 57, 9161 CB Hollum—you can step straight from the car park into the dune/forest paths near the lighthouse. ([vvvameland.com](https://www.vvvameland.com/practical/general/nature/the-hollumer-forest?utm_source=openai))

By public transport (from the ferry at Nes/veerhaven): - Ameland’s island buses (Qbuzz) connect the ferry port ↔ Nes ↔ Ballum ↔ Hollum. Use the bus toward Hollum and get off near Hollum (Lighthouse/Oranjeweg area), then walk a few minutes to the lighthouse/forest edge. ([vvvameland.com](https://www.vvvameland.com/practical/transport-on-to-ameland/public-transport/bus-transport-on-ameland?utm_source=openai))

(If you’re planning to bus back after finishing in Nes, you’re already in the main hub village for services and connections.) ([vvvameland.com](https://www.vvvameland.com/practical/general/villages/nes/over-nes?utm_source=openai))

What the route feels like underfoot (and what to pack)

Expect a constant alternation between: - Firm village paving near Hollum and later near Nes - Forest tracks (often compact, sometimes rooty) - Dune-edge sand that can be soft and energy-sapping in places

Even though the elevation is basically flat, the “difficulty” can spike when: - Headwinds blow off the North Sea - Loose sand forces slower pacing - Rain turns sandy paths into heavy, churned sections

Bring: - A windproof layer (Ameland can feel much colder than the temperature suggests) - Gaiters if you dislike sand in shoes - Water and snacks (you’ll pass services at the ends; mid-route options can be limited depending on your exact line) - HiiKER for turn-by-turn confidence where forest and dune paths braid together

From the lighthouse into Hollumerbosch (0–6 km / 0–3.7 mi)

You begin at the Bornrif lighthouse, a red-and-white cast-iron tower built 1880–1881, about 55 m / 181 ft tall, later designated a Rijksmonument and now open as a visitor attraction with exhibitions. ([vvvameland.nl](https://www.vvvameland.nl/praktisch/algemeen/dorpen-ameland/hollum/vuurtoren-ameland?utm_source=openai)) It’s a major navigation landmark on the island—visible from far across dunes and fields—and a good mental “home base” for the first part of the walk.

Within the first couple of kilometers you’re drawn into the Hollumerbos (Hollumerbosch)—a coastal forest planted to stabilize drifting sand and shelter the village from wind. The first plantings here date to 1914–1918 (often referred to as the *Marinebosje*), using hardy conifers chosen for the salty, windy conditions. ([vvvameland.com](https://www.vvvameland.com/practical/general/nature/the-hollumer-forest?utm_source=openai))

Underfoot you’ll notice: - Needle-strewn paths that can be surprisingly soft - Occasional sandy blow-ins where dunes press close to the trees - Short, winding connectors that can look similar—this is where HiiKER helps