**Rent a boat to explore the biggest bog in the Netherlands and the swamps of this National Park. **
Man-made beauty
Weerribben-Wieden is quite unique compared to some other national parks because it's kind of man-made. This massive bog and beautiful park came to be slowly over time as locals cut the reeds and peat. Now, Weerribben-Wieden is one of the best sights to visit for its charming water villages, canoe experiences, and classic Dutch landscapes. It’s actually one of the most important national parks in Europe for protecting nature. Visit yourself and you’re sure to understand why.
What to do at Weerribben-Wieden
The national park has over 10,000 hectares of land to explore. Many take to a canoe to explore its beautiful rivers and lakes. You’ll get a great view that way! If that’s not your thing, cycling, sailing, and hiking are all options here too. The national park is also known for Giethoorn, the so-called “Venice of Holland”. If you’re travelling by boat, Giethoorn is especially worth a visit.
- Cycling: grab your bike and get going. There are three cycling routes throughout Weerribben-Wieden ranging from 30.7 km to 45.2 km. We recommend the “Giethoorn and water villages” routes to see the best of Weerribben-Wieden waters, which is what it’s known for after all. All routes have signage, but you can find maps and GPX files for all here.
- Hiking: there are three official walking routes through the national park, starting at 12.7 km to 14.7 km. The “Kiersche Wijde” walking trail is probably the most interesting as it goes through the swamp, but the mud isn’t for everyone and it is not dog friendly. Plenty of trekkers have customised walks and you can easily make your own path without much trouble.
- On the water: one of the best ways to see the nature reserve is by traversing its waters. You can rent a boat, canoe, whisper boat, and even an electric boat at the nearby rental of De Kluft. Expect a small extra charge for a life jacket and water barrel. There are 3 planned out routes to take on the waters from 7 km to 14 km. We recommend the longest, Weerribbenroute, to see the most of Weerribben-Wieden.
Tips and Tricks
- Need to hire a bike? Otter Fietsverhuur, a bike hire shop, is in the heart of the national park and will sort you out.
- Compared to other national parks in the Netherlands, Weerribben-Wieden isn’t as well known though it’s not exactly a hidden gem! Still, it’s big enough that it never feels crowded.
- The visitor centre lies close to the cute little village of Sint Jansklooster. There’s the occasional market, a nice tea shop, and a lesser-known windmill (Monnikenmolen) to visit if you have the time.
Getting There
- By Car: parking available at the visitor centres of Ossenzijl and St. Jansklooster.
- By Bus: 50 min walk from Clarenberglaan bus stop. Buses 71, 171, and 679 stop here.
24/7
All seasons
Free
N/A
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