Table Mountain Heath by Tashina van Zwam

About "Table Mountain Heath"

by Tashina van Zwam

About the artwork

Table Mountain Heath is a high-altitude heathland area between Huizen and Laren of about 74 ha located in the municipality of Huizen. The southern edge of the heath is in the municipality of Blaricum. The area is under the management of the Goois Natuurreservaat. Southwards, on the other side of the Oude Naarderweg, the Tafelbergerheide merges into the Blaricummerheide.

The heathland has many height differences, caused by the land ice during the Ice Age. The highest point is Table Mountain, from which this heath owes its name. This 36.4-metre-high 'hill' is one of the highest points in the province of North Holland. It takes its name from an old orientation table that was located on this slope. Part of it is still on display at the Museum Hilversum. A new orientation table was installed when Table Mountain was renovated in 2019.

Many clay pits are found on the heathland. These are the result of activities of former inhabitants of Het Gooi who took clay from this place, which they used to harden the floors and yards of their farms. The clay originates from northern Europe and was transported with the glacial ice during the rift ice age. The loam pits are very valuable because of the plant life unique to the Netherlands that can be found there.

Since 1990, Drentse heath sheep have been grazing on Tafelbergheide; cattle were added in 1991. Dogs are only allowed to walk on a leash in the grazed area.