National Park Sallandse Heuvelrug

Somewhere in The Netherlands

February 2023

Ice Age ...

The Sprengenberg is part of the Sallandse Heuvelrug, a push moraine formed during the penultimate ice age. Glaciers advancing from Scandinavia pushed large quantities of earth ahead and to the sides of the ice, creating this hilly landscape. As it got warmer, the glaciers retreated, and meltwater flowed down the slopes, carving out glacial meltwater valleys, which are still visible today.

... or Giant's Spill?

Local folklore offers a more colorful tale. Legend has it that a giant from Germany, intending to fill the Zuiderzee with sand, carried a massive bag on his back. Unfortunately, the bag ripped, spilling sand with every step. According to the legend, this trail of sand formed the hills of the Sallandse Heuvelrug. So, while science points to glaciers and ice ages, the legend attributes the mountains to a giant’s mishap with a leaky bag.

Winter's Embrace on the Sprengenberg

Our hike took us up and down through forests and across heathland. On this cold, windy winter day, we encountered hardly any other hikers, and the animals, wiser than us, were likely sheltering in warm spots. This didn’t reduce the dark beauty of the National Park, though.