Dal van de Ruiten Aa

Throughout East Groningen, from Ter Apel to Bad Nieuweschans, all manner of original stream valleys have been restored. What was once straight is now curved again. The current woods, grasslands and fields in the ‘ Dal van de Ruiten Aa ’ look just like the old Westerwold esdorp landscape. It was immediately clear that the plants and animals were also quite happy with this ‘remeandering’. In spring, the ‘old-fashioned’ countryside is bursting with beautiful flowers. Whilst the Lakenvelder cattle graze contentedly, a kingfisher hunts for fish and a great white egret flies overhead. Even the stork, which had previously disappeared from Westerwolde, has made a full comeback. Could it get any better? Perhaps even the otter and the beaver will soon rediscover the stream valley.

There is plenty to do in this area. Take a short circular walk from Gasterij Natuurlijk Smeerling or combine a slightly longer trip with a visit to Burcht Wedde. According to experts, the Dal van de Ruiten Aa, together with the valleys of the Westerwoldse Aa and the Mussel Aa, is one of the most beautiful valleys in Europe. You see it, you smell it, you hear it when you walk or cycle along one of the many routes through the valley. Both the Metbroekbos and the Liefstinghsbroek are among the oldest forests in Groningen. Special plants such as wood anemone and white sorrel grow here. And that sandy hill south of Wedde? That is the Giezelbaarg. Several men and women were killed here in the 16th century because they were thought to be practising witchcraft.

If you’re going for a walk near Ter Apel, do pop over to the Netherlands’ first hand-operated cable car in Ter Apel. The 22.4-metre-long cable car connects the banks of the Ruiten Aa. Take a seat in the gondola and use the hand-cranks to pull yourself across to the other side.