Our forests each have their own charm. And even though they are still young, you can get delightfully lost in them. The Voorsterbos and the adjacent Waterloopbos together account for 1,000 hectares of nature to wander through. Between the thick trees in the Voorsterbos, you sometimes imagine yourself in an ancient forest. The Kuinderbos is the oldest and largest forest in the Noordoostpolder. It is teeming with plant species, butterflies, birds of prey and mushrooms. With a bit of luck, you might even come across the rare pine marten.
The Voorster forest was planted between 1944 and 1961, but you wouldn't tell when you walk around. The huge trees and the great diversity of plants and animals living there make the forest incredibly varied. Did you know, for instance, that this forest is a real mushroom paradise? Of the 3,500 species in the Netherlands, 800 can be found here. This is partly due to the lime in the soil from the shells still in the former seabed.
Because there is boulder clay from the Ice Age in the soil, foresters planted all kinds of trees. This is because they did not know which species would do well on this subsoil that has low water permeability. The result? A very diverse forest that never gets boring.
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Part of the Voorsterbos is the Waterloopbos. The national monument Waterloopbos is not only a beautiful forest to wander around in, it also has a special history. For years, the Waterloopkundig Laboratorium conducted research there into how water works. In the forest, you will therefore find ruins of scale models of some thirty large waterworks from all over the world. The Delta Works, for instance, were designed there, but also the ports of Rotterdam, Lagos, IJmuiden, Istanbul and Bangkok. With water, dams, weirs and wave machines, reality could be replicated in the forest. Since leaving, nature has slowly taken possession of the hydrological models again. This has created a unique interaction between technology and greenery.
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The Kuinderbos to the north-east of the Noordoostpolder is teeming with unusual plants, mushrooms, butterflies, birds of prey and predators such as the pine marten. Around the Kuinderplas, Welsh ponies and Icelandic horses ensure that the clearings in the forest actually stay open. There are hiking, nature and cycling trails, a nature and day camp site, playing fields, picnic and campfire areas and historical ruins. For a nice walk with the dog, there is the Wet Nose Path where your four-legged friend can run free.
More about the Kuinderbos
Schoterveld is the youngest nature and recreation area in the Noordoostpolder. Construction began in 2007 and it was not officially completed and handed over to the Forestry Commission until 2025, which has been maintaining and operating it ever since. The Schoterveld is next to the Kuinderbos, just north of Bant, and the Schoterplas is an important part of this area, both for nature and recreation. You can stay overnight and eat out next to this lake, and around the lake there are beautiful walks. There are also facilities for equestrian sports and events, among other things. You will also find the sand sculpture route, which changes theme every year. Tips for other routes can be found at the TOP, a large column with information and route suggestions, and if you don't have your own bike (with you), you can rent one on site at a bike-sharing hub.
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The Wellerwaard is a popular nature reserve just outside the city limits of Emmeloord. It is large, spacious and highly recommended for anyone who wants to enjoy nature, swimming, beach or get a breath of fresh air with the dog. Along the way, you will come across robust picnic tables, sustainable bridges and decking, fun play equipment for the kids and fire pits for a cosy barbecue. You can recover from your walk or swim in the Wellerwaard restaurant Bij Ons with a nice cup of coffee, delicious lunch or dinner.
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The Schokker forest covers 85 hectares and grows on a soil of peat, boulder clay and clay. It lies along the west side of World Heritage Site Schokland. The forest is over 50 years old and consists mainly of ash, oak and coniferous trees. Boulder clay and peat cause the forest to grow unevenly and slowly. For ferns, mushrooms and mosses, this actually provides extra opportunities: connoisseurs found more than 350 species of mushrooms, some 30 of which are rare, in addition to 75 moss species. The forest is home to typical forest plants such as wild honeysuckle. Birds of prey such as goshawk, buzzard, sparrow hawk and long-eared owl like to live there, as well as many songbirds and roe deer. Special marten boxes have been hung for the pine marten.
More about the Schokker forest
This forest is somewhat less known than the other forests in the Noordoostpolder, but it is well worth a visit! In this forest, which lies parallel to the old shoreline of the IJsselmeer, you can find lots of species of mushrooms, including the poisonous but beautiful tuber manite. But you can also spot the colourful kingfisher here. The tree-lined and marshy Kadoelerveld forms a natural transition from the Kadoeler forest to the open polder landscape. Via duckboards and bridges, you can take a beautiful walk through the Kadoeler forest. But you can also cross the forest by bike. Just as you wish.
More about the Kadoeler forest
The Waterloopbos is a very well-known and very crowded forest. Don't like crowds? Then go hiking in the neighbouring Wendelbos. Here you walk among the alders, poplars and willows that have only been planted since 2006. Keep in mind that this is a wet deciduous forest, so wear good walking shoes or boots, especially in autumn and winter. Animal lovers will enjoy this forest, as you will find many songbirds, butterflies and deer.
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No forest, but a beautiful nature area with a reed belt and a strip of trees around a former sand extraction pit. Casteleynsplas is a nice place for a walk, with or without the dog. You can mindlessly follow the footpath, because you walk around the lake and always come back where you started. But above all, look around you, as kingfishers nest in the steep bank and catfish swim in the clear water.
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Are you more of a garden lover? That too is nature, but in a more cultivated form. But no less beautiful for that. There are several visiting gardens in the Noordoostpolder, each with their own character, where you can feast your eyes and perhaps find inspiration for your own garden.
More about our visiting gardens
