De Roggesloot: Uw Texelse Wildernis Direct Tegenover ‘t Eibernest!

You don’t have to plan distant expeditions with us at ‘t Eibernest ; the wild, vast beauty of Texel is literally waiting for you, directly opposite the entrance of our bungalow park!

The Roggesloot is named after the fish that swam around freely.

‘Sloot’ sounds a bit too poldery for the rugged creek, which separated Eierland from Vlieland. Fishermen ‘finge’ er roggen. They cooked the livers and made cod liver oil. When greater Texel ‘came into being’, the waves lapped freely between the Wadden Sea and Slufter. After 1835, the sturdy trench was still a tame inland water. Yet in 1850 a ray was caught, evolved from saltwater to freshwater fish.

Our small-scale holiday park ‘t Eibernest is located directly opposite De Roggesloot and from bungalows 32, 32a and 34 you even have a view of De Roggesloot!

The Roggesloot and the banks of the nature reserve cover approximately 40 hectares of the Eierland polder. In the past, until the beginning of the seventeenth century, this was different: then the mudflat creek of the Wadden Sea ran all the way to the North Sea, near nature reserve De Slufter. In 1630, however, the sand dike was built, making the lake smaller. The salt water became brackish and many marine animals, such as the rays – from which the ditch owes its name – disappeared from the area.

Welcome to De Roggesloot: a historic, 40-hectare nature reserve in the Eierland polder that will immediately captivate you.

The Roggesloot: more than just a ‘ditch’

Don’t be fooled by the word ‘ditch’. This is not your average polder channel! The Roggesloot was once a rugged mudflat creek that separated Eierland (then still a separate island!) from Vlieland and connected the Wadden Sea with the North Sea, until the construction of the sand dike in 1630.

A piece of Texel history in a nutshell:

• The Ray Catchers: The name is as fascinating as the area itself. Fishermen used to come here to catch rays . They cooked the livers for the precious cod liver oil.

• The Freshwater Ray (The Mystery!): When the dike was built, the salt water slowly changed into brackish and later fresh. Most of the sea creatures disappeared, but there is a legendary catch in 1850 of a ray that had apparently adapted from saltwater to freshwater fish! This makes De Roggesloot a place with a tough, rugged past.

The Magic of the Present: A Bird Paradise

Today, De Roggesloot is a prime location for peace seekers, hikers and, above all, bird lovers. The vast water and wet grasslands form a crucial breeding and foraging area.

Put on your walking shoes or get on your bike and enjoy:

• Bird watching: Bring your binoculars! You can hear the iconic black-tailed godwit calling here, see the beautiful redshank foraging, and in spring it is teeming with young chicks. Its location in the north also makes it a fantastic place to see migratory birds perch.

• Photography: The sunrise and sunset over this vast body of water are spectacular. The landscape, the low horizon and the countless birds make for unforgettable images.

• Cycling paradise: The trails around the area are perfect for cycling. You drive along vast nature and are in no time in the cozy De Cocksdorp or at the northernmost tip, the lighthouse.

Uw Vakantie met Uitzicht op De Roggesloot

What makes our bungalow park ‘t Eibernest so unique is the immediate vicinity of this natural beauty. You step out of your bungalow and you’re there!

Would you like to wake up to the sound of nature and the sight of a wide water landscape? You can!

From our bungalows Eibernest 32, 32a and 34 you even have a direct view over De Roggesloot. A more beautiful natural setting for your breakfast is almost unthinkable.

This is the luxury of ‘t Eibernest: the tranquility of nature within reach, with the comfort of your own bungalow.

In short: The Roggesloot is the perfect place to recharge your batteries and experience Texel at its purest. And the best part? All you have to do is cross the street!

Ready for your nature holiday?

Check out the availability of our bungalows at ‘t Eibernest and book your spot today with (or without!) a view of this beautiful part of Texel!