Discover De Zilk: Dunes, Flowers and Culture

When planning a stay in De Zilk, there are several things to focus on: the dune landscape, flower growing and local history. The Waterleidingduinen can be accessed from De Zilk. If you are looking for a hotel for a trip to De Zilk, you can consider whether you would rather spend your time on trails and landscapes or on cultural sites. The local routes, flower fields and architectural history offer concrete starting points.

Flower Fields and Annual Mosaics

Colourful flower fields shape the landscape of De Zilk. Hyacinths, daffodils and tulips remain the dominant flowers grown here. Another local tradition is the popular flower mosaics, which return every year. This means flowers are part of the landscape and also feature in an annual display in the town. The three flower varieties named here give flower growing a distinctive character, while the mosaics add their own cultural note.

Choose Dune Trails by Distance

Two routes of different lengths start at the De Zilk entrance. The route marked in purple is 4.8 kilometres long, passes through the dune landscape and returns to the De Zilk entrance. The route marked in black from the same entrance is 9.1 kilometres long. You can initially compare the two options by their stated distances; the described circular route is the one marked in purple.

The name “Verborgen Verleden – De Zilk” also refers to a trail focused on history. Several information panels bring the vanished past to life. Those who enjoy looking at landscapes and local history together will find a different focus here than on a tour described primarily by its length. The Waterleidingduinen also provide a distinct connection with nature in De Zilk.

History, Art and Routes in Town

The artwork “WIND, ZONLICHT & TRANSPARANTIE” consists of stainless steel silhouettes. They turn in the wind and glisten in the sunlight. The artwork is part of the “Verborgen Verleden” cycling and walking routes. These routes thus bring together a historical theme and an artwork featuring moving, light-reflecting forms.

The streets also tell the story of the landscape. The elevated position of Zilkerduinweg came about after considerable quantities of dune sand were removed between 1920 and 1930. Zilkerbinnenweg originally runs as a winding road along the dunes, connecting Beeklaan with Delfweg. These two roads offer different insights: one points to changes in the terrain, while the other follows the line of the dunes.

The “Gezellige Terrasjes Tour door de Streek” uses the cycle node network for its route. Nodes and connections are marked with green-and-white signs. De Zilk is also known in the region for its carnival; no specific annual recurrence is associated with it.

The Heilig Hart van Jezuskerk

The Heilig Hart van Jezuskerk is open to visitors daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. It was built in 1919–1920 to plans by architect Jos Margry. On 30 August 1920, Bishop Callier of Haarlem consecrated the church. Its construction period and consecration date give the church a clear historical connection to De Zilk.

Inside the church are a Chapel of Our Lady of Fátima and three large stained-glass windows in the choir. Together with its building history, they offer another cultural focus alongside the routes, landscape and flower growing. The opening hours help you plan a visit to the church as part of your day.

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