Twente is known for the rolling bocage landscape full of vast meadows and forests that you encounter there, but this region has much more to offer. On this route you will get to know the Lutterzand, a nature reserve with heaths and shifting sands between the forests.
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. Especially the sand drifts in this area are special to see. Furthermore, this area is perfect for spotting sand martins, kingfishers and deer. Try to be as quiet as possible, take a good look around you and who knows, you might see one of these beautiful animals. From the Lutterzand you walk further to Denekamp. This town arose in the time of the Germans, just outside the reach of the floodwaters of the Dinkel.
Restaurant & Buitenplaats Florilympha
You then walk back to the starting point of the route in 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
Around 1700, fields, meadows and wild areas made way for vast shifting sand areas in the Lutterzand area. To prevent further drift, the farmers allowed their flocks of sheep to 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 forest areas, heaths and shifting sands was created.