A detour at Smeerling

Smeerling is a picturesque hamlet in the Groningen region of Westerwolde. You can take a beautiful walk through the old Metbroekbos. And view some authentic regional farms.

Protected village view
The route starts at Gasterij Natuur Smeerling, which is located in a restored Westerwold farm. You can have a drink here and enjoy a lunch composed of traditional local products. At the same time, you also immediately pick up a unique piece of Groningen cultural history. A nice start to your walk! A number of these beautiful monumental farms from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries still exist around the guesthouse. Together they form the protected townscape of Smeerling.

Metbroekbos
From Gasterij Natural Smeerling you can walk straight into the valley of the Ruiten Aa, one of the most beautiful stream valleys in the Netherlands. You can see essen where Natuurmonumenten grows oats and rye, the beautiful cornflower grows between the grain. In the Metbroekbos you walk between oaks and beeches. From the forest you walk along the sloping Eemboersveld where willows and black alders grow. It is still really quiet here, an unprecedented luxury.