Walking routes a short distance from Abdij de Westerburcht

Scharreveld

Short route (4.5 km) and long route (8.5 km) - approx. 5 min by car from the hotel
The Scharreveld is over 275 hectares and consists of a number of separate heathland areas. Including for example Holtherzand and the Boekweitenplas. The green frog and the moor frog can be found in large numbers in the many lakes in the area, in addition, the rare species of Heidekartelblad, Cranberry, Lavendelhei and Veenpluis can also be found in the area.

The route can be found by parking along the Scharreveld road in Eursinge at the viewing hill. Dogs are not allowed due to the sheep and cattle on parts of the site. In addition, there are a number of switches over wire. This can make the route more difficult to walk for people with walking difficulties.

Mantingerzand

Juniper route (9 km) - approx. 10 min by car from the hotel
The Juniper route through the Mantingerveld is a route located in the South of Mantinge. Here you will encounter hundreds of juniper bushes! This is also what Mantingerzand is known for. The area was very bare around 1920 due to the many sheep herds that used to walk there. When these flocks of sheep were no longer present at this location, the juniper berries were able to germinate completely. Mantingerzand has been managed as a juniper reserve since 1970.

You recognize the route by the alternating red, white and yellow posts. You can start from the Mantingerdijk parking lot, here you start with red poles.

'Natuurommetje' (4.5 km) - approx. 10 minutes by car from the hotel
During this route through the Mantingerveld you will encounter various beautiful pieces of nature. Many junipers, heaths, sandy plains and an old pine tree of at least 150 years old! Did you know that the Mantingerveld is known as one of the most beautiful drifting sand areas in the Netherlands.

A nice and short 4.5 km nature route that can be followed by means of the red posts. The route starts at a parking lot near Voscheheugte, Mantingerdijk 7.

White route (12 km) - approx. 10 min by car from the hotel
This walking route is a longer version of 'Natuurommetje'. The route is very varied and goes along Balingerveld and Grooteveld. Here you will see the Hullenzand and the Lentsche peat in the distance. During the route it is possible to encounter Scottish Highlanders.

The route is 12.0 km and can be followed by means of the white posts. The route starts at a parquet place near the Voscheheugte, Mantingerdijk 7.

Dwingelderveld

Hiking trail Telescope (4 km) - approx. 20 minutes by car from the hotel
This walk goes past the Dwingeloo telescope and along Smitsveen. Along the way you also have a beautiful view over the vast heathland of the Dwingelderveld.

You enter the route by following the white posts. The starting point is at the P-place Oude Hoogeveensedijk in Oude Hoogeveense Dijk.

Lheederzand hiking route (4.9 km) - approx. 15 minutes by car from the hotel
Walking route through Lheederzand in Dwingelderveld, a former drifting sand that has been planted from 1907 on. For this route, follow the yellow signs. The starting point is Achter 't Zaand 1, Dwingeloo. Dogs do not have to be on a leash here.

Walking route Boswandeling Spier (5.5 km) - approx. 15 minutes by car from the hotel
Walk through a forest that has been planted in Dwingelderveld since 1925, in the direction of Witteveen. Peat used to be cut here. For this route one follows the white signs. The starting point can be found at Oude Postweg 12 in Spier. Dogs don't have to be on a leash here.

Walking route Witteveen (6 km) - approx. 15 minutes by car from the hotel
Walk around Witteveen and along Lheebroekerzand with its juniper thickets and along Witteveen in Dwingelderveld. Follow the route through the posts with the yellow sign. The starting point can be found at the P-place of Smalbroek.

Hiking trail Kibbelhoek (6.2 km) - approx. 15 minutes by car from the hotel
The walk goes through beautiful fens to Holtveen. Here the high moor in Dwingelderveld gets another chance. Also great for a very cold winter day! Dogs do not have to be on a leash here. Follow the red posts for this route. The starting point can be found at Oude Postweg 12 in Spier.

Hiking route Koelevaartsveen (6.4 km) - approx. 15 minutes by car from the hotel

A walk along fens and the Koelevaartsveen, a former peat area in Dwingelderveld. A quiet route where you will not meet many people. You will find the starting point at Achter 't Zaand 1 in Dwingeloo. From there, follow the blue posts.

Drentsche Aa

Forester route Ballooërveld (9 km) - approx. 25 minutes by car from the hotel
The special thing about this walk is that you imagine yourself almost a hundred years back in time. Discover the view of the ancient cart tracks as you walk the Galgenberg, admire the trenches, spot the church tower from the 11th century and see the pingo ruin formed from an Ice Age mound.

The route can be followed by means of the posts with the purple head. The route starts at the Sheepfold Balloërveld in Balloo (Crabbeweg 2). The Information Center can also be found here.

Forester route Deuzerdiep (8 km) - approx. 25 min by car from the hotel
A semi-open landscape with nice meander brooks, hedgerows, lands, bushes and special flower species. The wet environment is ideal for the orchid, which you will encounter a lot during the route. In addition, the meadow brook damsels and a rare dragonfly species can also be found in the area. The (male) dragonfly can be recognized by its black wings. In the spring the route is at its best and everything is in full bloom.

The route can be followed by means of the posts with a red sign. It is also possible to shorten the route, follow the blue signs (5.5 km) or the yellow signs (1.5 km). The route starts at Entrance gate de Aanleg, Assterstraat 63 in Deurze. There is an information point in the adjacent Cafe.

Forester route Oudemolense Diep (7 km) - approx. 30 minutes by car from the hotel
The Oudemolense Diep is a winding brook that is thousands of years old. A calm stream, but also with a very wild current at times. The stream is just as varied as the walking route! During the route you will pass heather and walk through the forest. In the spring and in the summer the meadow brook damselfly will be seen a lot. You will see how the Oudemolense Diep creates its own shape. During heavy rainfall, the sand washes away from under the roots of the trees. If these are close to falling, you can look through the roots at the flowing water. The water is calmer in spring and summer.

The route can be followed by means of the posts with the light blue head. It is advisable not to put on your newest shoes when walking this route. The route mostly runs on unpaved roads and along stream valleys. The route starts at the Molensteeg car park at Molensteeg 4 in Oudemolen.