Best backpacking trails in Schwalm-Nette Nature Park
Founded in 1965, the Schwalm-Nette Nature Park is located in the far west of North Rhine-Westphalia on the Dutch border. It is part of the German-Dutch Maas-Schwalm-Nette Nature Park. Its landscape is characterized by water. Lakes, rivers, streams and marshlands invite you to experience and enjoy a variety of activities. Typical forests, pastures, farmland and heathland offer impressive experiences and recreation in nature.
Top sights
Top trails
- 4.1 (112)·Moderate·14.1 mi·Est. 5.5–6 hrThis hiking trail follows segment 9 of part two of the Pieterpad, an iconic long-distance route across the Netherlands. The journey connects Venlo to Swalmen via a forested path along the Meuse terrace steep edge and German border. It features the extensive woods of Jammerdaalse Heide plus the winding stream valley of the Swalm river. Overnight stays occur at various campsites near the path or local hotels, which require booking during summer months. Grocery stores and many restaurants are...
- 4.6 (3)·Moderate·10.3 mi·Est. 3.5–4 hrThis is segment 23 of the Maas-Niederrheinpad, an additional variant to create multi-day loop options with other sections of the hiking trail. This route leads from Swalmen through borderlands along the winding Meuse river toward historic Brüggen. Walkers cross the diverse woodlands of the Swalm-Nette nature park while passing scenic Hillenraad Castle. There are no campgrounds along this segment, so hikers rely on hotels or guesthouses. Both the starting point and village center feature local...
- 4.0 (1)·Moderate·12 mi·Est. 4.5–5 hrThis is segment 12 of the Maas-Niederrheinpad. This hiking trail traces the Nette stream through swamp forests and scenic lake areas toward the historic castle town of Brüggen. Walkers traverse the river valley past lakes such as the Windmühlenbruch, Borner See, and the Heidweiher natural pool. Overnight stays are possible at campgrounds near the destination, requiring advance booking in summer. Both Leuth and Brüggen feature local eateries alongside supermarkets for supplies. Start and...
- 4.0 (1)·Moderate·12.2 mi·Est. 4.5–5 hrThis is segment 11 of the Maas-Niederrheinpad. This hiking trail leads from Wachtendonk along the winding Niers river towards Leuth. Walkers cross the forested Heronger Buschberge, Nettetal lakes, and Krickenbecker Seen nature reserve. Overnight stays are possible at campgrounds near the destination, requiring advance booking in summer. Both Wachtendonk and Leuth feature local eateries alongside supermarkets for supplies. Start and finish locations are accessible via https://www.bahn.de/ and...
- 4.0 (2)·Moderate·13.4 mi·Est. 5–5.5 hrThis is segment 14 of the Maas-Niederrheinpad. This hiking trail leads from Wegberg along the Niers river basin through the German-Dutch borderland toward Wildenrath. Walkers cross the tranquil woodlands of the Maas-Schwalm-Nette nature park while passing the historical Dalheim Monastery. Overnight stays are possible at campgrounds near the destination, requiring advance booking during summer. Both the starting point and village center feature local eateries alongside supermarkets for...
- 3.0 (1)·Moderate·11.5 mi·Est. 4.5–5 hrThis is segment 13 of the Maas-Niederrheinpad. This hiking trail leads from Brüggen through the German-Dutch borderland via stream valleys toward historical Wegberg. Walkers cross the diverse woodlands of the Swalm-Nette nature park while passing several ancient watermills along the Schwalm river. Overnight stays are possible at campgrounds near the destination, requiring advance booking during summer. Both the starting point and city center feature local eateries alongside supermarkets for...
- 3.0 (1)·Moderate·10.7 mi·Est. 4–4.5 hrThis is segment 15 of the Maas-Niederrheinpad. This hiking trail leads from Wildenrath through the German-Dutch borderland toward Herkenbosch. Walkers traverse the diverse forests and extensive heathlands of De Meinweg National Park. Overnight stays are possible at campgrounds near the destination, requiring advance booking in summer. Both the starting location and village center offer eateries alongside supermarkets for supplies. Start and finish points are accessible by public transit via...
- Moderate·45 mi·Est. 16.5–18.5 hrThis is a four to six-day loop trail of the Maas-Niederrheinpad. This hiking trail leads from Venlo along the winding Meuse river through the German-Dutch borderland via diverse nature reserves. Walkers explore the woodlands of the Heronger Buschberge and the scenic Krickenbecker Seen lakes. Overnight stays are possible at campgrounds near the villages, requiring advance booking in summer. Passed towns feature local eateries alongside supermarkets for supplies. Start and finish locations are...
- Moderate·46.1 mi·Est. 17–18.5 hrThis is a four to six-day loop trail of the Maas-Niederrheinpad. This hiking trail leads from Reuver along the winding Meuse river through the Dutch-German borderland via stream valleys and forested areas. Walkers explore the woodlands of the Swalm-Nette nature park, the scenic Swalm valley, and pass Hillenraad Castle. Overnight stays are possible at campgrounds near the villages, requiring advance booking in summer. Passed towns feature local eateries alongside supermarkets for supplies....
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Frequently asked questions
Where is the best trail to hike for backpacking in Schwalm-Nette Nature Park?
According to users from AllTrails.com, the best trail to hike for backpacking in Schwalm-Nette Nature Park is Pieterpad Segment 2.9: Venlo - Swalmen, which has a 4.1 star rating from 114 reviews. This trail is 14.1 mi long with an elevation gain of 1,236 ft.
What is the longest backpacking trail in Schwalm-Nette Nature Park?
According to AllTrails.com, the longest backpacking trail in Schwalm-Nette Nature Park is Düsseldorf - Roermond. This trail is estimated to be 99.8 mi long.
How many backpacking trails are in Schwalm-Nette Nature Park?
There are 12 backpacking trails in Schwalm-Nette Nature Park.These backpacking trails have an average 3.8-star ratingfrom 123 AllTrails community reviews.
Which backpacking trail has the most elevation gain in Schwalm-Nette Nature Park?
Düsseldorf - Roermond has the most elevation gain for backpacking trails with 6,250 ft of total ascent. The park's runner-up is Maas-Niederrheinpad: Roermond Loop, which has 5,688 ft of elevation gain.
Activities
- Backpacking trails in Schwalm-Nette Nature Park
- Bike touring trails in Schwalm-Nette Nature Park
- Birding trails in Schwalm-Nette Nature Park
- Camping trails in Schwalm-Nette Nature Park
- Mountain biking trails in Schwalm-Nette Nature Park
- Road biking trails in Schwalm-Nette Nature Park
- Running trails in Schwalm-Nette Nature Park
- Walking trails in Schwalm-Nette Nature Park
Attractions
- Beach trails in Schwalm-Nette Nature Park
- Easy trails in Schwalm-Nette Nature Park
- Event trails in Schwalm-Nette Nature Park
- Forest trails in Schwalm-Nette Nature Park
- Hard trails in Schwalm-Nette Nature Park
- Lake trails in Schwalm-Nette Nature Park
- Long trails in Schwalm-Nette Nature Park
- Moderate trails in Schwalm-Nette Nature Park
- River trails in Schwalm-Nette Nature Park
- Short trails in Schwalm-Nette Nature Park
- Trails with historic sites in Schwalm-Nette Nature Park
- Trails with views in Schwalm-Nette Nature Park
- Wildflower trails in Schwalm-Nette Nature Park
- Wildlife trails in Schwalm-Nette Nature Park
Suitability
Points of interest
- Glabbacher Bruch
- Nette
- Laarer See
- Naturschutzstation Haus Wildenrath
- Ferkensbruch
- Borner See
- Haus Wildenrath
- Hariksee
- Hinsbecker Bruch
- De Wittsee
- Weisser Stein
- Jugendzeltplatz Birgelen
- Windmühlenbruch
- Wasser.Blick 16 - Borner See
- Wasser.Blick 09 Krickenbecker Seen
- Wasser.Blick 14 Elmpter Schwalmbruch
- Effelder Waldsee
- Venekotensee
- Gewässer an der Flootsmühle
- Kutscherhaus