Halkenveen Amen, Elp and Grollo

Drenthe used to be a vast and open country, divided here and there by a meandering stream. To a large extent, the area was an impassable wilderness that, unlike many other areas in the Netherlands, looked more like a tundra. The heath only started to emerge in the peat area later. Forests have now also been added to this varied environment, which do not restrict the vast character of the province, but rather give it an extra dimension. In these forests and on the meadows around Grollo, hares, rabbits and larger game such as deer happily jump between the plants. Squirrels dart into trees to flee from hunters such as polecats, weasels, stoats and foxes, which sneak through the undergrowth in search of slower prey. Hedgehogs forage among the grass, while vipers and lizards also like to live in the area. Birds such as the brown harrier, the gray harrier and the hen harrier can be seen skimming low over the peat, while the buzzard drops from the sky onto an unfortunate prey and corvids and woodpeckers roost high in the trees. Many owl species also wake up at dusk. Characteristic plants that cheerfully color the area are the dandelion, the pentecostal flower, the cuckoo flower, the buttercup, loosestrife, forget-me-not and cow parsley. The starting point of the route is VOF Sherein, the local supermarket where you can also easily park your car. In the supermarket you can make the final preparations for the bike ride and fill your backpack or bicycle bag with tasty snacks. About halfway along the route you will also pass the beautiful mill of Grolloo, located in the middle of the peat area. The paaltjasker is located in the Grollooërveen and can be seen from afar. The tjasker was built as early as 1930, but it was only given its current purpose in 1986. The mill has no other function than that of a tourist attraction. You can also approach it within a few meters, if you are willing to push your way through the tough vegetation.