Route 13: Over de Esch Vlagtwedde

A walk across the ash fields around Vlagtwedde and through the Ruiten Aa stream valley clearly shows the contrasts in this landscape. On one side the dead straight Mussel Aa canal, with which the history of peat extraction is connected, and on the other side old sand ridges, woods and flowery meadows along the Ruiten Aa. Along this small river lies the old hamlet of Smeerling, which consists of a group of very beautifully restored Saxon (aka Westerwold) farmhouses. It is a protected villagescape and the seventeenth- and eighteenth-century farms are under monument protection. Saxon farms originally had people, animals and crops under one roof. In the farmhouse that Natuurmonumenten uses as a teashop, you can admire the ingenious load-bearing beam construction. After Smeerling, you walk through the stream valley of the Ruiten Aa and the Metbroek forest. Cattle of an old Dutch breed of cattle, Lakenvelders (a white surface covers their backs like a sheet), graze parts of the forest and the neighbouring Eemboerveld. The cows with their calves are people-friendly. The Metbroek forest, managed by Natuurmonumenten, is one of the few original forests in Westerwolde. It is marshy, loamy ground with mainly native tree species such as oak, hazel, holly, alder, willow and beech. In the undergrowth you will find lily-of-the-valley, wood anemone, salomon's seal, Swedish dogwood, muskwort and cuckoo flower, and between heaven and earth birds like spotted woodpecker, golden oriole and buzzard. Natuurmonumenten inherited the forest, as well as Lieftinghsbroek, from private conservationists.

After this, you walk into Vlagtwedde. Vlagtwedde, Sellingen, Onstwedde, Wedde and Vriescheloo are the five church villages or karspelen that make up Westerwolde. Around Vlagtwedde, swarm villages such as Veele, Wollinghuizen, Jipsinghuizen, Weende and Ellersinghuizen arose, as well as numerous hamlets, which take their names from old field names. Around Vlagtwedde were the market lands, which were divided, managed and used under the authority of the collectivity, the Boerschap. The farming community also had its own jurisdiction (farmer's wardens). Until 1803, Vlagtwedde had its own court in which the 'richter' dealt with cases based on the land law of Westerwolde. Appeals could be lodged with the drost in Wedde.

The walk takes you past the Dutch Reformed Church (point 20), one of the largest churches in Westerwolde. The cross-ribbed-vaulted nave dates from the second half of the 13th century, the choir from the 16th century. The forest path (point 22) runs along the Veelerdiep, a branch of the Ruiten Aa, which rejoins the main stream north of Vlagtwedde. Only its erratic course distinguishes it from an ordinary ditch. Finally, the walk passes Parc Emslandermeer, a recreational bungalow park, which contributes to strengthening the region's economy.

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This is a route of the Stichting Wandelen in Westerwolde , sponsored by Huisartsenpraktijk Postma and Bungalowpark Emslandermeer.

General Practitioner Postma
Dr.P.Rinsemastraat 1
9541 AL Vlagtwedde
Tel 0599 217000
https://huisartsenpraktijkpostma.nl

Bungalowpark Emslandermeer
Bungalowpark Emslandermeer, 2 to 20 person comfort & luxury wellness bungalows with outdoor Jacuzzi, sauna etc, also with tour boat Hanzeschouw or Whaly. Free access to sub-tropical swimming paradise with slide, children's pool, sauna etc. Relax at the park with fishing in the inland lakes, water sports, canoes & pedal boats, playgrounds and of course walking and cycling in the nature-rich Westerwolde. In short, unlimited activity and relaxation possibilities.
http://www.bungalowpark-emslandermeer.nl