Things to Do around Westerkwartier

Westerkwartier offers a variety of outdoor activities including Hiking, Road cycling, Touring cycling, Jogging, Mountain biking, and Gravel biking. The region features diverse landscapes suitable for these sports, from marshlands to forests and heathlands.

Westerkwartier features more than 1,600 routes on komoot. These routes cater to various sports and have been explored by over 23,000 visitors. The average rating for routes in the region is 4.42 out of 5 stars.

Popular hiking areas include the peat landscape of Doezumermieden, known for its 'quaking moor,' and the ancient cultural landscape of Middag-Humsterland with its historic 'wierden.' The region also offers forest walks in areas like Trimunt and Nanninga's bos. For more information, see Hiking around Westerkwartier.

Westerkwartier provides extensive networks for road cycling, touring cycling, and mountain biking. There are over 400 routes each for road cycling and touring cycling. A 19-mile (30-kilometer) mountain bike route with a 3-mile (5-kilometer) technical loop is available near Jan Dijksand. Explore options via Road Cycling Routes around Westerkwartier or Cycling around Westerkwartier.

The region is home to several unique natural features. Doezumermieden is a peat landscape with a 'quaking moor,' while Jilt Dijksheide is the only remaining heathland, featuring 'pingoes' from the last ice age. Middag-Humsterland is recognized as one of Western Europe's oldest cultural landscapes.

Yes, komoot offers several guides for Westerkwartier to help plan activities. These include guides for Hiking, Road Cycling, Touring Cycling, Running, MTB, and Gravel biking.

Middag-Humsterland is a designated National Landscape and one of the oldest cultural landscapes in Western Europe. It is characterized by its marsh landscape, dotted with 'wierden' (artificial dwelling mounds), and irregular land parcels that reflect its historical connection to the Wadden Sea.

The southern part of Westerkwartier, particularly around Leek, features a bocage landscape. This terrain is distinguished by its characteristic hedgerows and tree lines, offering a different natural experience compared to the northern marshlands.

The 'Pearls in the Westerkwartier' initiative offers interactive themed routes. These routes provide historical insights and range from 4 to 10 miles (7 to 16 kilometers) for hiking. Cycling options include routes from 31 to 40 miles (50 to 65 kilometers), with one extending to 75 miles (120 kilometers).

Westerkwartier's diverse habitats support various wildlife. Trimunt forest is home to forest birds like nuthatches and woodpeckers. Jilt Dijksheide's pingoes host frogs, salamanders, and water birds, and Scottish Highlanders and land goats can also be spotted there.

For official information about the Westerkwartier municipality, visit their website at www.westerkwartier.nl. The main phone number for the municipality is 14 0594, or alternatively, 0594 551 551.