Enjoy the Wieden

Prepare yourself 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 also get to see picturesque places such as Sint Jansklooster, Belt-Schutsloot and Dwarsgracht.

The base for this route is located in the picturesque water village of Belt Schutsloot: Café-Cafeteria-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 three centuries, the inhabitants excavated the peat to make peat. For example, the landscape changed into a swampy swamp area where you see a beautiful mix of swamp forests, endless reed fields, flowery hay meadows and water, lots and lots of water.

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

Many birds breed in this area. Striking species are fish eaters such as the cormorant and the curlew. Bittern, black tern and purple heron are also found 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 puddles were partly created by a series of major floods. If you look out over the Beulakerwijde, remember that in 1776 and 1779 the Beulake settlement was swallowed up by the waves here.

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