Best moderate trails in Bourtanger Moor-Bargerveen Nature Park
The relatively new nature park is located between the districts of Emsland, Grafschaft Bentheim and the Dutch province of Drenthe and was founded in 2016. It covers 140 square kilometers.
Until it was cultivated in the mid-19th century, it was still a continuous raised bog, but it is now a mosaic of different landscapes: fields and pastures, sand, heath, moor and peat bloom in different colors depending on the season. Settlement, peat extraction and agricultural use have changed the region and offer visitors varied discovery tours in nature or cultural landscape. What they all have in common is the character of the moors, which is still present in places that have been heavily altered by humans: the vastness of the land, elongated settlements and canals.
In the eight moorland museums, such as the Emsland Moormuseum in Groß Hesepe or the Erdöl-Erdgas-Museum in Twist, you can find out about the history and characteristics of the nature park. There are also educational and adventure trails, which should particularly appeal to families with children. From the viewing platforms, you can gaze out over the surrounding area.
Top sights
Top trails
- 4.4 (20)·Moderate·8.3 mi·Est. 2.5–3 hrLoop trail around the Meerstalblok, part of the Bargerveen nature reserve. Trail around the Meerstalblok, an area that is part of the Bargerveen. The nature reserve is a high moor area filled with water, rare plants and many birds. This route goes all around the Meerstalblok. It is the only remnant of the former Bourtanger swamp. The trail provides almost constant views over the many bodies of water in the area, especially on the stretches on top of the dikes. Highlights of this trail: -...
- 4.3 (15)·Moderate·6.2 mi·Est. 2–2.5 hrThe Amsterdamsche Veld and the Meerstalblok are part of the Bargerveen nature reserve. These are raised moor areas, much of which has been excavated in the Amsterdamsche Veld. Here you can also walk past the sheepfold. Via viewpoint De Bult you walk to the edge of Meerstalblok. This peat area has never been excavated and is now a protected nature reserve. Many special flowers and plants grow here.
- 4.2 (10)·Moderate·6.7 mi·Est. 2–2.5 hrHiking trail through the unique peat and marsh area Bargerveen. In the past, almost half of the Netherlands consisted of peat areas. The vast majority of this was excavated for the extraction of peat. The Bargerveen is a unique area that has been spared, in which a good picture can be formed of the original nature of the Netherlands. The peat soils of the Bargerveen are an excellent breeding ground for countless rare plants and birds. This trail runs on unique paths between the waters,...
- 3.8 (5)·Moderate·3.5 mi·Est. 1–1.5 hrHiking trail from Weiteveen across the Bargerveen, past the sheepfold and viewing hill Peelzicht. This route runs from Weiteveen through nature reserve Bargerveen. The trail runs along bicycle paths and can be done either on foot or by bicycle, and makes an excellent running route through nature. The route enters Bargerveen past the sheepfold. The rich peat soil of the Bargerveen, combined with the waters, creates a beautiful nature that keeps the sheep in check. From view hill Peelzicht...
- 5.0 (3)·Moderate·13.6 mi·Est. 4.5–5 hrNice cycling tour from Klazienaveen around the Bargerveen nature reserve. A nice nature route, where you drive straight through the moors and along the waters. You go around the Meerstalblok and through the Amsterdamsche Veld. You drive right on the German border and pass some bird watching huts. The route can also be used as an extensive running route.
- 4.5 (5)·Moderate·7.4 mi·Est. 2.5–3 hrCircular walk through the Bargerveen, along the many fens, through the swamps and heaths. At the Amsterdamse Veld, about halfway through the walking route, the route makes a detour to walk through the field to the sheepfold, cattle stable and restaurant. This part of the route is easy to skip if you want to, this shortens the walking route by 3 kilometers.
- 4.8 (6)·Moderate·10.4 mi·Est. 3.5–4 hrExtensive loop of the southern part of the Bargerveen nature reserve. The Bargerveen consists of the Amsterdamsche Veld, the Meerstalblok and the Schoonebeekerveld. Of the raised moor areas, only the Amsterdamsche Veld has been excavated. The area is a source of unique plants and animals. During this hike you walk right past the village of Weiteveen and the sheepfold to the southern part of the area. You walk along the edge, between the waters and around the Amsterdamsche Veld.
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