The Slufter is the most famous nature area on the Dutch island Texel.
It is a large salt marsh plain positioned between two sand dikes.
What makes it so unusual is its location along the North Sea coast.
The Slufter is dissected by a creek system which extends far inland.
During heavy northwesterly winds and spring tide,
the seawater penetrates deep into the marsh.
Only plants that tolerate salt water to varying degrees grow here.
The Slufter valley turns purple in the summer from the flowering sea lavender and red in the autumn from the aging salicorn.
The greater part of the Slufter is closed to the public.
That’s where eider ducks and sky larks nest.
The southern part is open for wandering
When you visit the Slufter and climb over the Zanddijk via the stone stairs,
you have a view of the entire area. In the distance, you see the opening in the dunes.
That’s where the beach and the North Sea are.
