Noordeinde, Zuideinde and Middenbuurt near Giethoorn

Extensive reed beds and flowery hay fields. Lovely gullies, quiet lakes, large puddles and deep canals. That is what you can expect in the Giethoorn area. Together with De Weerribben, the De Wieden polder area is one of the most important marsh areas in Europe. In the dense swamps you will encounter rare plant species, including pine clubmoss, swamp clubmoss, blond sedge and slender woolly grass. Beautiful birds such as the cormorant, the curlew, the black tern and the purple heron fish in the lakes, but other birds of prey also have their hunting grounds here. The marsh harrier and rare short-eared owl hunt for their prey above quaking bogs, blue grasslands and bogs. You can park your car at the Tourist Transfer Point Giethoorn. You cycle to the north, towards Steenwijk. You do not visit that place on this route, but you bend past it. There is a beautiful windmill between Steenwijk and Nijeveen. Before you arrive at Nijeveen, the route leads west, further into the lake area. You return to Giethoorn via the village of Westeinde.