The best walks and hikes in Natuurreservaat Eksterheide En Omgeving

There are over 25 hiking trails in Natuurreservaat Eksterheide En Omgeving, offering a variety of experiences for different preferences and fitness levels.

Hikers can explore a diverse range of landscapes, including oak-birch, pine, and newly planted deciduous forests. The area is also characterized by picturesque fens, expansive wet and dry heathlands, and open land dunes. Significant restoration efforts have helped re-establish the original heathland and dune environments.

Yes, Natuurreservaat Eksterheide En Omgeving offers many easy and family-friendly trails. Out of the 27 available routes, 20 are classified as easy. Some paths, like the Ekstergoorpad, are even accessible for strollers, making them ideal for families with young children. An example of an easy route is the Het Blak bird hide – Pond in the Blakheide loop from Natuurreservaat Eksterheide en omgeving.

While beautiful year-round, the heathlands in Natuurreservaat Eksterheide En Omgeving are particularly stunning when in full bloom during August. This offers a vibrant display of purple hues across the landscape, enhancing the hiking experience.

The reserve is rich in wildlife. You might spot various water birds, deer, hawks, and black woodpeckers. Keep an eye out for the colorful chequered skipper butterfly, diverse insect life like dragonflies (great emperor, common clubtail), and amphibians such as the common spadefoot toad and great crested newt. Grazing animals like Kempische heath sheep, Galloway cattle, and Konik horses also roam the area, helping to maintain the open landscape.

Yes, many of the trails in Natuurreservaat Eksterheide En Omgeving are circular, allowing you to start and end at the same point. An example of a popular circular route is the Duivelskuil Pond – Eksterheide Boardwalk loop from Duivelskuil, which explores fens and heathlands.

Along the trails, you can discover several natural attractions. Highlights include the Duivelskuil Pond and De Pomp/Poelberg. There are also three bird-watching huts, such as the Eksterheide observation hide, offering excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing. You can also see the area where an Old Airfield becomes heathland, a testament to the reserve's restoration efforts.

The area is highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.4 stars from over 390 reviews. Hikers frequently praise the diverse landscapes, including the fens, heathlands, and varied forests, as well as the well-maintained paths that cater to different ability levels.

Yes, the reserve is known for its bird-watching opportunities. There are three dedicated bird-watching huts. The Het Blak bird hide – Pond in the Blakheide loop from Natuurreservaat Eksterheide en omgeving is a great option, as it leads directly to one of these hides, allowing you to observe various water birds and other avian species.

Yes, picnic benches are strategically placed along many of the routes within Natuurreservaat Eksterheide En Omgeving. These provide peaceful spots to take a break, enjoy a snack, and soak in the natural surroundings.

One of the longer routes is the Colony - Eastern Rampart – Open hay barns Kolonie 5-7 loop from Natuurreservaat Eksterheide en omgeving, which spans 7.8 miles (12.5 km). This moderate trail offers extensive views of the reserve's diverse forests and open areas.