Enjoy the Wieden

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

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

The walk runs through the southern part of the national park, called the Wieden. This area is an oasis of space and tranquility. No matter how pristine and natural the environment looks, every square meter is made by human hands. Over the course of three centuries, the residents dug the peat to make peat. The landscape changed into a swampy swamp area where you see a beautiful mix of swamp forests, endless reed fields, flower-rich meadows and water, lots of water.

About halfway you can take a break at Café-Restaurant De Otterskooi. This is a pleasant place to relax, both inside and outside, with a fresh coffee and something tasty and a tasty meal. It is possible to enjoy a buffet with a group on the terrace and inside.

Many birds breed in this area. Notable species are fish eaters such as the cormorant and the curlew. Great bittern, black tern and purple heron also occur here. The Wieden mainly differs from the Weerribben in that there are more open large lakes, such as the Grote Beulakerwijde and the Belterwijde. These lakes were partly caused by a series of major floods. When 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 with a ferry. The crossing costs €1.10 per person.