't Roege Pad

't Roege Pad consists of four beautiful, 'rugged' walking routes through nature reserve 't Roegwold and the surrounding villages. 't Roegwold is a unique nature reserve with swamps, reed beds and many special bird species. The routes run as much as possible over unpaved terrain: along ditches and over water board paths, over private land or centuries-old church paths.

Walking among the tall grass you can hear frogs, a cuckoo and in the distance the bittern. Walking along 't Roege Pad is like listening to nature. Along the way you will come across De Vogelluisteraars, works of art made by Marc van Vliet that allow you to hear the sounds of nature even better. The routes are each around twenty kilometres long and for each of the four routes, you will receive a matching pin when you fill up your stamp card. The stamp card is available for €5 (plus postage and packing if required) at the sales points at the bottom of the page and can be handed in at the same sales points. The online map shows the route and lots of information about all the nature reserves and birds you may encounter. You will also find information on where to park, pause and stay overnight.

The Waterhoenroute starts in the historic heart of Slochteren. Of the four 't Roege Pad routes, the Waterhoenroute has the most heritage to admire along the way, such as Fraeylemaborg estate and the polder mills on the Groenedijk. In terms of nature, there is also much beauty to discover such as De Baggerputten, where many special plants and animals can be found and the herbaceous hay meadows along Groote Wijk.

You can find them in the branches of trees hanging low over the water at Zwaneveldsgat: kingfishers. But even if you don't encounter this blue flash anywhere, there are plenty of other birds to see and hear along the way. From Kolham you walk into the Westerpolder, the southernmost part of 't Roegwold. Chances are you will meet the photogenic Hereford cattle along the way. From Woudbloem, you walk through the picturesque Ae's Woudbloem. This is where the Slochter Ae flows, an old small river that together with the Scharmer Ae lies in the old Fivel river valley.

In this route, you walk around the Schildmeer. On the way, you pass through the Tetjehorn subarea. It is the largest reed marsh in Groningen and is home to a multitude of birds, including bittern, bearded reedling and spotted crake. Marsh harrier feels at home in the reed marsh and occasionally even the impressive white-tailed eagle is seen here! The route ends at the cosy terrace of Kaap Steendam, from where you have a great view over the lake.

In Schildwolde, one monumental farmhouse after another stands on the Hoofdweg. Here and there, they are still surrounded by classic Groningen winding gardens. From Schildwolde, the trip heads towards the Dannemeer, the heart of 't Roegwold and a true bird paradise. Here you will also find the Knuppelpad, a narrow plank path where you seem to walk on water. You then walk to the Schildmeer where there is a new boardwalk. At De Vogelluisteraar you can hear the various meadow birds. You then walk between the farm fields back to Hellum to end in Schildwolde next to the Juffertoren with its pointed brick tower.

For a shorter walk between two and ten kilometres, the Roege Rondjes are ideal. The routes are spread across nature reserve 't Roegwold and lead you along the most beautiful parts of for example Tetjehorn, the Westerpolder, Hellum and the Baggerputten. The Roege Rondjes are part of 't Roege Pad, allowing you to extend long routes or connect different routes. Enjoy the peace and beauty of this beautiful nature reserve.