From Denekamp to the Lutterzand

Spotting animals
The first part of this route takes you through the Lutterzand. This nature reserve is 750 hectares in size and is crossed by the meandering river Dinkel. The sand drifts in this area are particularly special to see. Furthermore, this area is perfect for spotting sand martins, kingfishers and deer. Try to be as quiet as possible, look around you and who knows, you might see one of these beautiful animals. From the Lutterzand you walk on to Denekamp. This town originated in the time of the Germanic people, just outside the reach of the flood waters of the Dinkel.

Restaurant & Country Estate Florilympha
Then you walk back to the starting point of the route in the Lutterzand. There you can settle down at Restaurant & Buitenplaats Florilympha. The menu here is full of delicious dishes for lunch, dinner or a coffee break. From here you can also follow route 489247.

The history of the Lutterzand
Fields, pastures and wastelands made way for vast drifting sand areas in the area of Lutterzand around 1700. To prevent further drifting, farmers let their flocks of sheep graze along the Dinkel and later Scots pines were planted in this area to keep the drifting sand in one place. This is how the current nature reserve with forests, heathlands and drifting sands came into being.