Enjoying the Wieden

Prepare for a long walk: this route through National Park Weerribben-Wieden is no less than 33 kilometers long! In addition to lots of nature, you will also encounter picturesque villages such as Sint Jansklooster, Belt-Schutsloot and Dwarsgracht.

The base for this route is in the picturesque water village Belt Schutsloot: Café-Cafetaria-Eethuis Het Otterswold. From the terrace on the water you have a beautiful view here. At Het Otterswold you can enjoy your drink and snack in a cozy atmosphere.

The walk goes through the southern part of the national park, called the Wieden. This area is an oasis of space and tranquility. No matter how untouched and natural the surroundings look, every square meter was made by human hands. In three centuries, the inhabitants dug up the peat to make turf. In this way, the landscape changed into a swampy marshland where you see a beautiful mix of swamp forests, endless reed fields, flowery meadows and water, lots of water.

About halfway you can take a break at Café-Restaurant De Otterskooi. Both inside and outside it is nice to stay here with a fresh coffee with something tasty and a delicious meal. On the terrace and inside there is the possibility to enjoy a buffet with a group.

Many birds breed in this area. Notable species are fish eaters such as the cormorant and the curlew. The bittern, black tern and purple heron also occur here. The Wieden differs from the Weerribben mainly because there are more open large pools, such as the Grote Beulakerwijde and the Belterwijde. These pools were partly created by a series of major floods. If you look out over the Beulakerwijde, remember that in 1776 and 1779 the settlement of Beulake was swallowed up by the waves.

Please note: you cross the Walengracht by ferry. The crossing costs 1.10 per person.