Hulshorsterzand

A quiet sand plain in the heart of the Veluwe

Hulshorsterzand lies just outside Nunspeet, in an area most people simply pass through on their way to somewhere else. That is a shame, because this is one of the finer sand drifts on the Veluwe. No busy tourist attraction, no parking lot full of coaches. Just sand, wind, and the occasional tree that has held its ground.

Those solitary trees are exactly what makes this place interesting for photographers. A pine or Scots pine standing alone on open sand has something melancholic about it. You do not need much to build a strong composition: the tree as an anchor point, the sand as a plane, the sky as breathing room. Keep it simple.

Light and season

Sunrise works very well here. The low light catches the ripples in the sand and gives them a texture you miss entirely at midday. In fall, mist often settles in too, hanging low over the sand while the tops of the trees just poke above it. Those kinds of mornings require an early start, but they produce images you are unlikely to forget.

The fall colors in the trees surrounding the sand area add to the scene. The contrast between the warm oranges and browns of the surrounding woodland and the cool, pale sand is at its strongest in October and November.

Composition and focal length

A wide-angle lens, say 16 to 24mm, lets you spread the sandy landscape wide with an expressive sky above. But a longer focal length, around 85 or 100mm, compresses the distance between the trees and the forest behind them in a way that actually emphasizes the isolation of a lone tree. I often use both on the same morning.

Pay attention to the lines in the sand. The wind draws patterns that you can use as leading lines. Walk around a little before you start shooting, because a few steps left or right can make the difference between an ordinary composition and a stronger one.

Practical

You can park at the recreation area on the Hulshorsterzandweg. From there it is a few minutes' walk onto the open sand. The area falls under Staatsbosbeheer and is freely accessible. Stick to the paths and avoid walking through young vegetation on the drift sand, as recovery takes years. No permit is required for non-commercial photography.

Sources and further reading

• Staatsbosbeheer — Hulshorsterzand
• Nationaal Park Veluwezoom — Veluwe
• Wikipedia — Hulshorsterzand