Nature in Oldambt

Behind the Ennemaborg you can take a nice walk into the woods. In the Midwolder forest, trees and plants grow as naturally as possible. People let nature take its course. See how konik horses graze among the wild, herbaceous plants. And if you look up you will see many birds flying. Is it autumn? Then you almost trip over the many mushrooms.

And just south of Bad Nieuweschans is Bos op Houwingaham. Besides a rich forest area, there are strips of marshland. Pieces of land where the water level is almost equal to ground level. During wet periods it is a water plain, in dry periods grassland. There are also stretches with marshy vegetation. So bring your boots. On an adventure.

From meandering rivers to vast lakes: you are surrounded by water. In 2005, Queen Beatrix turned on the tap and some 14 million cubic metres of water formed the more than 8 square kilometres of the Oldambtmeer. With its large volume and surface area, the Oldambtmeer is one of the larger lakes in the Netherlands, and after the Lauwersmeer, the largest in the province of Groningen. It was constructed as part of project Blauwestad, around the spot where the Huninga Lake used to be. On the spot where yellow grain used to stand, the wind now makes blue waves and you can enjoy a grand and diverse nature area while walking or cycling.

With vast landscapes, grain fields, water features and typical Groningen skies, Oldambt serves as a source of inspiration for artists. There is plenty of art to admire in the Oldambster countryside. Art that blends into the beautiful surroundings. Take for instance the Waaiboei near Nieuwe Statenzijl. The eight-metre-high work of art stands conspicuously on the dike. And every time you spot it, it is different: because it moves with the wind. Another example where art and nature go hand in hand is the waterfall at Bos Houwingaham. A unique spot: it is one of the few waterfalls in the Netherlands you can walk under. Just outside Winschoten, in the Tusschenwegen nature reserve, you will find the artwork Wet Eyes, which consists of two ponds next to each other, with the water flowing from one pond into the other due to a difference in height.

Besides the construction of the Oldambtmeer, 350 hectares of new nature were created around the new village of Blauwestad. Twenty-five kilometres of dykes have also been constructed. Most of these can be walked or cycled. Nature in a new guise.

Adjacent to Blauwestad is nature reserve Reiderwolde. You know, with that distinctive red tower. Climb it once. The view will make you wonder. For you look out over what was for years an agricultural area. Together with artists, farmers and the rest of the population, the area has been transformed into a diverse nature reserve. And you can reap the fruits of it yourself - in autumn, you can find apples, blackberries and pears. Taste for yourself.

You can discover Reiderwolde for yourself on the cycling and walking paths. A ferry takes you across the water. So your feet stay dry. If you want, a landscape guide will show you the most beautiful spots. But you can also wander around on your own.

In the Oldambt, you are sometimes almost up against Germany. A great example in such a green border area is the Dollard. Where fresh and salt water meet. Where it is bursting with flora and fauna. With unique species found nowhere else in the Wadden Sea. It is also an attraction for bird species. From the Kiekkaaste you have the best view. Like being at the end of the world.

For a very special view of the rich nature of Oldambt and its surroundings, visit Oostwold airfield. From the airport, you can take a scenic flight over the Groningen landscape and get a bird's eye view of the region. Prefer to take the reins yourself? Then you can also take one of the various courses here. You literally soar to great heights here.