Hiking through the German Nettetal

The German Nettetal is part of the border park Maas-Schwalm-Nette. This walking route introduces you to the German town of Kaldenkirchen, the Krickenbecker Seen and the mixed forests of the Venloër Heide.

Krickenbecker Seen
The Krickenbecker Seen are four lakes created by peat extraction that lie in the shape of a cloverleaf around Castle Krickenbeck. The lakes are located in the valley of the river Nette, which still flows through the lakes today. This nature reserve is one of the oldest and largest in North Rhine-Westphalia. On the banks you walk through alder swamp forests and moist grasslands. It is wonderfully quiet in this part of the border area.

Venloer Heide
In Napoleon's time, the Venloër Heide was still part of a large cross-border heathland. Where this heath has been preserved in the Netherlands, you walk through a mixed forest on German territory. Near the forest you pass the Schwanenhaus, called the Cologne Barrière in the Netherlands. This is the former border crossing for the highway between Venlo and Germany. After walking, enjoy a drink and meal at Oelespot Restaurant in a unique atmosphere.

Would you like to explore the border park Maas-Schwalm-Nette by bike? Then drive route 372960.