Nederland - Sint Maartensvlotbrug, Wildrijk

The Wildrijk is one of the smallest (800 x 240 meters) forests in the Netherlands. Yet this nature reserve is one of the most beautiful spots of the province of North Holland, especially in spring. During that time of the year it is surrounded by colourful bulb fields. The forest is covered with a blue carpet of thousands and thousands of wild bluebells, with some pink or white species. The flowers alternate with the fresh green of ferns. Other special plants also grow here; this fauna owes the Wildrijk to the clean water, which is led directly from the nearby dunes along the North Sea.

The Wildrijk is located in the Zijperpolder, where in the past wealthy merchants from Amsterdam owned wooded country estates. Later, during the construction of the Noordhollandsch Kanaal, a lot of forest was cut down by workers. In 1940 the area came into the possession of Landschap Noord-Holland, a Dutch foundation which aims to protect the landscape and nature of the province of North Holland.