A tour around the Wieden

The Wieden and the Weerribben together form one of the most important wetland areas in Europe. This polder area has been extensively excavated in history due to peat extraction. This has created extensive reed fields and flowery hay fields. Water, lots of water, in the form of gorges, lakes, ponds, canals and fens stimulates the growth of special plants. The swamps are densely vegetated and here you will encounter, among other things, pine clubmoss, swamp clubmoss, blond sedge and slender cotton grass. Fish eaters such as the cormorant, the curlew, the black tern and the purple heron get their food from the waters of De Wieden, but other birds of prey also hunt here. The marsh harrier and rare short-eared owl make their prey on the quaking bogs, blue grasslands and bogs. The beautiful nature reserve is characterized by lakes, gorges, canals, extensive reed fields, but also flower-rich meadows and dense swamp forests. Cycling through De Wieden you can fully enjoy the calm waters, but also the activity that matches the many marinas in this area. A nice sight along the tour is the Monnikenmolen in Sint Jansklooster. The tower mill, built in 1857, is covered with reeds. Like most of the mills in the Netherlands, the Monnikenmolen functioned and continues to function as a flour mill. This mill and its outbuildings can be seen from afar. A beautiful picture!