The best walks and hikes in Valtherbos

Valtherbos offers a wide selection of hiking routes, with nearly a thousand trails recorded on komoot. This includes over 680 easy routes, 225 moderate routes, and 36 more challenging options, ensuring there's something for every fitness level.

Valtherbos features a diverse landscape of mixed forest, with both needle and deciduous trees like oak. You'll find winding paths, smaller heath areas, and open play meadows. The area also includes the somewhat swampy Meerbosch and sits on the flank of the Hondsrug, offering varied natural habitats.

Yes, Valtherbos is rich in historical sites. You can visit ancient megalithic tombs known as hunebeds, such as Dolmen D35, and several burial mounds. A significant historical site is the Valtherbos Hiding Place, a World War II dugout that sheltered Jewish individuals.

Many routes in Valtherbos are designed as circular walks, allowing you to start and end at the same point. For example, the Hunebed Boswachterij Emmen – Dolmen D38 loop from Hunebed D41 Emmen Noord is an easy 4.8 km circular trail exploring the forest and ancient hunebeds.

Valtherbos is enjoyable year-round due to its mixed forest. Spring and autumn offer beautiful colors and comfortable temperatures. In summer, the dense tree cover provides shade, while winter hikes can be serene, especially after snowfall. Wildlife spotting, like deer and wild boar, is often best at dawn or dusk.

Absolutely. Valtherbos has many easy, accessible paths suitable for families. The diverse landscape with open meadows and historical sites like hunebeds provides engaging points of interest for children. Many routes are relatively short and have minimal elevation gain.

Valtherbos is generally dog-friendly, with many trails suitable for walks with your canine companion. However, it's always advisable to keep dogs on a leash, especially given the presence of wildlife like deer and wild boar, and to check local signage for any specific restrictions in certain areas.

The komoot community highly rates Valtherbos, with an average score of 4.5 stars from over 3000 reviews. Hikers often praise the varied natural landscapes, the historical significance of the hunebeds and the Valtherbos Hiding Place, and the well-maintained, accessible paths suitable for all levels.

Yes, many routes in Valtherbos offer a blend of nature and history. The Valtherbos Hiding Place – Dolmen D35 loop from Valthe is a 5.2 km trail that takes you through mixed forest while connecting to significant historical sites like the Hiding Place and Dolmen D35.

Valtherbos is a haven for wildlife. Hikers often have the chance to spot deer and wild boar, particularly during the quieter hours of dawn or dusk. The forest is also home to various bird species, including the tiny goldcrest and woodpeckers like the great spotted and black woodpecker.

The terrain in Valtherbos is generally gentle, with winding paths through mixed forest, heath areas, and meadows. It sits on the flank of the Hondsrug, with an elevation of about 18 meters. Most routes have minimal elevation gain, making them accessible for a wide range of hikers, as seen in routes like the Burial mounds – Dolmen D38 loop from Hunebed D41 Emmen Noord, which has only about 14 meters of ascent.

Yes, Valtherbos is an excellent spot for birdwatching. The diverse forest habitat attracts various species, including the goldcrest, Europe's smallest bird, and different types of woodpeckers. There is even a dedicated Bird watching screen available for enthusiasts.