Sallandse heuvelrug

The park consist of a moraine created in the second last ice-age 150.000 years ago. Before the ice-age,  rivers deposited large quantities of gravel and sand. During the last ice-age the glaciers didn’t reach the Netherlands.  The ground was frozen into permafrost. 

After the ice-age the melting water could not penetrate the ground. The water flowed away in small creeks and rivers causing erosion. The water formed small lakes in the lower areas. Today these areas are without the water but still visible. 

Deforestation took place due human-activity. In the middle ages sheeps and cows grassed the lands. Turf was also harvest from the land, eventually resulting that the area was transformed into the  heather moorland that we see today.

Animals
The last population of grouse in the Netherlands life in this park. The best time to spot these animals are in the early hours at springtime. These animals can also be found in the park:

• Viviparous lizard (Zootoca vivipara)
• Eurasian Nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus)
• Sand lizard (Lacerta agilis)