Jan Roepes Heath - Nature

The Jan Roepesheide (Jan Roepes Heath) is a small and atmospheric nature area of about 3 hectares, just north of Hollum. It is located on the western side of Ameland, on the edge of the Hollumerduinen and close to holiday park Boomhiemke.

What can you expect at the Jan Roepesheide?

It is a lovely place for a short walk, a peaceful moment in nature or a bit of birdwatching.

• Heather, dunes and water: The Jan Roepesheide is compact, but surprisingly varied. You will find low heather, rolling dunes, small pools, patches of water, reed edges and here and there a bit of woodland. It is exactly this combination that makes the area so attractive.
• Peaceful walking area: This is not a large and busy nature area, but a quiet part of Ameland where you can completely escape the crowds for a while. Ideal for those who would like to include a lovely nature spot during a cycle ride or walk around Hollum.
• Lovely for birdwatchers: Because of the open heathland, the pools of water and the reed vegetation, the Jan Roepesheide is interesting for birdwatchers. In the area, you may come across stonechats, wheatears, meadow pipits, lapwings, oystercatchers and greylag geese. Above the heath and dunes, birds of prey such as the kestrel, western marsh harrier and buzzard can sometimes be seen hunting. With a bit of luck, you may even spot a short-eared owl or hear a nightjar at dusk.
• Nature in every season: In spring, you can hear plenty of songbirds and see birds such as the meadow pipit, stonechat and lapwing actively moving around the area. In summer, the heath is green and lively, while birds of prey such as the western marsh harrier and kestrel may glide above the open landscape. In late summer, the heath takes on a lovely purple glow, and even on quiet autumn days this is a pleasant place for a short walk.
• Local history: The name refers to Jan Geerits Roep, who lived from 1790 to 1878 and lived in the hamlet of De Blieke near Hollum. This gives the small nature area a local historical significance as well.

The Jan Roepesheide may not be a large, well-known nature area, but that is exactly what makes it such a nice place to discover.

A peaceful and varied part of Ameland, where dunes, heath, water and silence come together beautifully.

Furthermore Jan Roepes Heath is near the following sights: Bunker remains Herderpad (±175 m), Monument Shipwreck De Valk (±175 m), Engelsmanduun (±250 m), Wellness & Beauty Boomhiemke (±550 m) & Lange Duinen (±700 m).

For information

Jan Roepespad, Hollum, Ameland