The best walks and hikes in Witterveld

No, a significant portion of Witterveld is a military exercise terrain and shooting range, which means direct public access to core areas is restricted and dangerous. While you can appreciate the natural beauty from public roads and cycling paths along its borders, extensive hiking within these restricted zones is not permitted. For more accessible hiking, consider other natural areas within the wider Drenthe province.

Witterveld is a Natura 2000 area known for its unique heath and raised bog landscape, a remnant of the Smildiger peatlands. You can expect to see diverse ecosystems including wet and dry heathlands, active and recovering raised bogs with rare 'meerstallen' (bog lakes) like the Meeuwenmeer, and rare birch fens. The area also features ancient ice age formations known as pingoruins.

Witterveld is home to distinctive plant species such as bell gentian, round-leaved sundew, white beak-sedge, bog clubmoss, bog rosemary, and small cranberry. It's also a significant habitat for reptiles and amphibians, notably a large population of adders, and has been known to host rare butterflies like the large heath.

Yes, several circular routes are available in the vicinity. For example, you can explore the Baggelhuizerplas mountain bike route – Baggelhuizerplas loop from Witten, an easy 3.2 km trail. Another option is the Baggelhuizerplas – Forest Pond loop from Witten, an easy 5.9 km path, or the more challenging Baggelhuizerplas – Baggelhuizerplas Parking Area loop from Witten, which is 10.7 km.

For extensive hiking in similar natural environments, the Drenthe province offers excellent opportunities. We recommend exploring the three National Parks: Dwingelderveld National Park for vast wet heathlands, Drents-Friese Wold National Park for forests and sand drifts, and Drentsche Aa National Park for picturesque stream valleys. Other notable areas include Fochteloërveen, Mantingerveld, and Schoonloërveen.

There are over 900 hiking routes available in the Witterveld area on komoot. The majority of these, around 680, are rated as easy, with about 230 moderate routes and a smaller number of more difficult trails.

The routes in the Witterveld area are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.4 stars from over 2,900 reviews. Hikers often praise the varied terrain, the peaceful atmosphere, and the opportunity to experience the unique heath and bog landscapes.

Yes, many of the routes in the Witterveld area are suitable for families due to their easy difficulty rating. For instance, the Baggelhuizerplas mountain bike route – Baggelhuizerplas loop from Witten is an easy 3.2 km trail that takes about 48 minutes to complete, making it a good option for a shorter family outing.

While direct public transport into the restricted areas of Witterveld is limited, the nearby city of Assen serves as a good hub. From Assen, you can often find local bus connections to the edges of natural areas or to starting points for trails in the wider Drenthe region. We recommend checking local transport schedules for specific routes to your chosen trailhead.

The best time to visit Witterveld and the surrounding Drenthe region for hiking is generally during spring (April-May) and late summer/early autumn (August-October). In spring, the landscape awakens with fresh greenery, and in late summer, the heathlands burst into vibrant purple bloom, offering spectacular views. Autumn provides pleasant temperatures and beautiful fall colors. Summers can be warm, and winters can be cold and wet, though winter walks can be serene.

Witterveld itself is a protected natural area with limited facilities. However, the nearby city of Assen offers a variety of cafes, pubs, and restaurants where you can relax and refuel before or after your hike. You'll find options ranging from quick bites to more substantial meals in Assen's city center.

Many trails in the wider Drenthe region are dog-friendly, often requiring dogs to be kept on a leash to protect wildlife and other hikers. Given Witterveld's status as a Natura 2000 area with rare flora and fauna, and the presence of military zones, it's especially important to observe local signage regarding dogs. Always check specific route regulations before heading out with your pet.