Many people think of a national park as a wilderness, an inaccessible territory where nature has the upper hand. De Weerribben is such a wilderness, be it that it was created by humans. It is a swamp area in which there are only a few settlements of people who (have to) live with nature here.
| location | ||
| ||
Background and story
Lowlands on the Zuiderzee
The corner of Overijssel in which De Weerribben located (between Kuinre and Blokzijl) had to be flooded over time and turned into a swamp. One has to assume that this was a coastal region in the Middle Ages, directly on the water of the constantly rising Zuiderzee. The final dike and the Noordoostpolder did not yet exist. In a westerly wind, the waves hit the land that was not yet secured by a dike. The pattern of the moat shows in which direction the water flowed into the Zuiderzee. It was the time of the wandering villages. Where the moor was drained, it sank and the land began to lie so deep that people felt compelled to rebuild their houses on somewhat higher ground and to cultivate the moor there. Then the story repeated itself. In the 12th and 13th centuries, this lowland on the Zuiderzee coast was no longer safe. The construction of dykes began to protect the land against storm surges. That these were not always sufficient can still be seen in the country. The sea repeatedly broke through the dikes and laid a good layer of Kleimarsch over the flooded moor.
From peat to reeds
On the whole, attempts to create new agricultural areas in this region have not met with great success. The acidic peatland was not productive enough and actually much too moist to be managed successfully. Peat cutting was permanently used because there was a high demand for it. Kuinre and Blokzijl became lively port towns where the peat was stored and shipped. The trade brought a certain prosperity, but the cultivation of the bog was hard work and the peat cutters lived in dire poverty.
The peat was made from excavation trenches, the weren, engraved and laid down to dry on strips of land lying between these. These were ribben (Ribs) called and still is the name of the land De Weerribben. At first there was a tendency to make the dredging trenches too wide and the ribben too narrow. As a result, they were not very storm-resistant and mostly eroded during floods. The water had free play: large areas of water were created - as in the area to the south De Wieden and whole villages were washed away. In De Weerribben one proceeded according to plan: The ribben had to stay at least three meters wide and the weren could not be wider than thirty meters. Tjaskers (Flutter mills), small windmills that automatically pumped the water away, contributed to making the moor more accessible. Now and then there is another tjasker To see, they still work today to keep the water level at the desired level. Anyone who paddles with his lanu over the waters of this vast area today can hardly imagine that everything was dug up by hand. Bus 1920 the cultivation of the bog took place. Then there wasn't enough bog to make the whole thing profitable. In the meantime, most of the residents were on the trade in reeds, which grew in large quantities in the old dredging ditches. It turned out to be very useful for covering thatched roofs. The quality of the Overijsseler reed was known far beyond the country's borders. Even today, "Kalenberger" is a new type of quality feature.
Further development
The reed cutting suffered a blow with the construction of a pumping station in Blokzijl, which was built here in 1919 to regulate the water level in northwest Overijssel. As a result, the reed fields dried out to a large extent. The situation worsened even more after the construction of the closure dike (1932) and the drainage of the Noordoostpolders, which was laid seamlessly on the old Zuiderzee coast without a marginal lake. The low-lying, dry polder withdrew water from the former coastal land. Many reed farmers had to look for other jobs. However, reed is still grown: but it is carefully preserved to maintain the quality of the reed fields that make up an important part of the swamp jungle De Weerribben form.
In 1992 the approximately 25 m² large nature area became a national park De Weerribben reliant. 2009 were De Wieden appended. This former nature reserve has undergone a similar development as De Weerribben, but the infrastructure is a little better developed. It is treated separately in this travel guide.
Flora and fauna
Paradise for birds and insects
Driving a canoe through the tall cane bushes is an almost exotic experience. Not visible from the street, but only when you step into the thicket, is that the pipe fields are full of life. One encounters reed warblers, bearded tits, water rails and now and then a bittern. The still water in the small canals also has a very special charm. It looks black, but it's very light. It's the bog soil that makes it so dark. On the surface there are hundreds of tumbler beetles, all of which seem to swim around aimlessly. Rimmed hunting spiders (the largest species of spider in the Netherlands) lie on floating aquatic plants, waiting for prey.
Otter
After the probably last Dutch otter was driven dead in 1988, there were plans to reinstate it. Since the animal is very susceptible to the pollution of its biotope, the otter is also a yardstick for its cleanliness. In addition, this biotope has to be relatively spacious and with little traffic, as otters are very fond of traveling. De Weerribben and De Wieden So offered themselves as the first reserve for the small water predator. In 2002 the first group was abandoned in the water and in 2004 the first four boys were born in the wild. A total of 40 animals are to be released,
Purple heron
In addition to the well-known gray heron comes in De Weerribben also the rare purple heron. After wintering in Africa, it breeds in large numbers in the wild in the summer Weerribben. The red-brownish bird is very reserved. He hides his nest in the tall reeds and gets his meals from the surrounding polders.
Great fire butterfly
The rarest animal of the Weerribben is a little butterfly. It is a subspecies of the great fire butterfly that only exists in this part of the Netherlands: Lycaena dispar batava. There are only a few specimens left of the butterfly, which shines in bright red. They used to be a beloved prey for butterfly collectors. Also, the caterpillars are so picky that they actually only like in one area De Weerribben survive because they are completely dependent on the dock. They eat its green parts and hibernate in the dried up, wavy leaves. If these are mowed or burned when the old reeds are burned, this means the end of the butterfly. All attempts to settle the rare animal in comparable biotopes have failed.
Duck bunk
The duck bunk was known in the Netherlands in the 16th century Eendenkooi (Duck cage) and was later exported to Northern Germany, Scandinavia and England. An area rich in water is a prerequisite for this. (The procedure is described in more detail under "Vogelkoje" on Wikipedia).
The duck bunk was and is used for catching ducks. In the past, duck fishing was an important part of food procurement. Of the 119 duck bunks remaining in the Netherlands, very few are still operated commercially; most are used to ring wild ducks. They are also an important landscape element. You own that right van kooiwhich means that no disruptive activities may be carried out in a wide area around the bunk. Bunk forests are therefore also true oases for numerous plants and animals.
In De Weerribben there are still two such bunks: the Kloosterkooi and the Kooi van Pen. The latter is the largest duck bunk in Europe with five bunk ponds and 18 pipes,
Most of the ducks intended for human consumption are shot down these days.
climate
The climate in De Weerribben corresponds to that of Overijssel. It has a maritime character. Due to the proximity to the North Sea, there are seldom periods of heat or frost. It can rain at any time of the year, but the sun can just as easily shine. The prevailing wind direction is west.
getting there
Starting point for all activities in the northern part of the national park De Weerribben is the place Ossenzijl north of the park.
By car
- from the north of the country:
- From Heerenveen over the
south towards Meppel / Zwolle. In the 
7 (Steenwijk-Noord) drive towards Oldemarkt In Oldemarkt follow the direction Ossenzijl.
- from the east and south of the country:
- From Zwolle over
to the north (towards Meppel). At the height of Staphorst on the (Direction Leeuwarden). In the 7 (Steenwijk-Noord) drive towards Oldemarkt In Oldemarkt follow the direction Ossenzijl.
- In Ossenzijl:
- first street on the left; Follow the road to the bridge; straight on into the parking lot of the visitor center De Weerribben.
With public transport
There is a local train to Steenwijk (direction Leeuwarden) every hour (.50) from the NS station in Zwolle. From Steenwijk train station, the connexxion-Bus 76 17 minutes after the regular arrival of the train in the direction of Marknesse. The Hoogeweg stop in Ossenzijl is the closest to the Natuuractiviteitencentrum; sa-so this bus has the number 276, only goes to Ossenzijl and stops right at NatuuractiviteitencentrumThe return bus leaves every hour Monday to Friday (.50). The last trip is at 6:50 pm. The bus goes back at (.02) on Sat-Sun. The last trip is at 7:02 p.m.
Visitor center
- Bezoekerscentrum De Weerribben, Hoogeweg 27, 8376 EM Ossenzijl. Tel.: 31 (0)561 477272. In the center are maps, various routes and tourist information about De Weerribben and the immediate vicinity, a large selection of nature books in the bookstore. The exhibition in the center is based on feeling and experiencing. One must de Weerribben experience and surprise. The following topics are covered: history, duck bunk, birds, otters, flora and fauna.Open: 1.4. - 1.11. Mon - Sun 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. 2.11. - 31.3. Tue - Thu 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Sun 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. On December 25th and 1.1. closed.
Fees / permits
Access to the national park and the visitor centers is free.
mobility
If you want to experience the nature park in all its beauty, it is best to roam it by canoe or a "whisper boat", both of which can be borrowed from the visitor center.
The Hoogeweg runs through the national park from Ossenzijl in the north to Muggenbeet at the southern end. It's the only continuous road.
Tourist Attractions
- Spider moles, Hoogeweg 3, Kalenberg / IJsselham. Tel.: 31 (0)561 452218. The operational polder mill was built in 1981. A polder mill had stood here by 1843.Open: by arrangement and between 1.5. and 31.10 .: 1st Sat and 1st and last Wed of the month 1.30pm - 4.30pm.
- 1 Tjasker, Hoogeweg 2, Kalenberg / IJsselham. This flutter mill was built in 1963 and is still used today for regulating the water level in De Weerribben used. It is free to visit.
- Tjasker Ossenzijl, Hoogeweg 2, Ossenzijl. This 1977 flutter mill is located near the visitor center and is used to regulate the water level in De Weerribben used. It is free to visit.
activities
- Giethoorn Cycle Route. 46 km long bike route through the national park. Start and end point: Tourist Information in Giethoorn.
- Weerribben route. 43 km long bicycle route through the national park, signposted by the ANWB. The start and end point is the visitor center in Ossenzijl.
- Combined boat and bike tours. Starting from the Eetcafé "De vrijstate" in Kalenberg, Pieter Jongschaap offers various arrangements with canoes / electric whisper boats and bicycles through the national park. info.
to buy
If you leave the binoculars at home, you can buy new ones in the visitor center. Equipment for the boat is also available in Ossenzijl, but the closest supermarket is in Oldemarkt.
kitchen
- 1 Recreatiecentrum De Kluft, Hoogeweg 26, Ossenzijl. Tel.: 31 (0)561 477370. Website also in German. All-round tourist company. The restaurant offers all menus from breakfast to dinner.
- Natuurrecreatiebedrijf De Gele Lis, Hoogeweg 27a, Ossenzijl. Tel.: 31 (0)561 477442. The restaurant at the visitor center offers a lunch room, but also a barbecue. You can also use various means of transport for De Weerribben borrow.
- 3 De Weerribben café-restaurant, Hoogeweg 9, Kalenberg. Tel.: 31 (0)561 477243. There are a variety of pancakes here, but also other, hearty dishes if you order in advance. This will be a specialty Otterslokje (Otterschlückchen), a herb liqueur from the Weerribben, which is only available here, and boats can also be hired from the café.
- Eetcafe Vrijstate, Kalenbergerpad 4, Kalenberg. Tel.: 31 (0)561 477527. Eating, drinking, sightseeing and canoe rental. You can eat and drink on a cozy terrace by the water or in the 't Lokaal exhibition room.
- 4 Café-Restraurant Het Doevehuis, Kalenberg-Zuid 1, Kalenberg. Tel.: 31 (0)561 477394. Pancakes and delicious meat and fish dishes are also on the program, as is bike and canoe rental.
accommodation
Hotels and hostels
- 1 Recreatiecentrum De Kluft, Hoogeweg 26, Ossenzijl. Tel.: 31 (0)561 477370. Website also in German. The hotel in De Klufts tourist complex has 8 double rooms with toilet, shower and TV.Open: 1.4. - 31.10.Price: 2 people BB € 73; 1 person BB € 65; Surcharge HB (p.P.p.T.) € 23.50; Surcharge extra bed per adult € 26; per child (-10) € 21. Taxes and fees € 1.20.
Bed & Breakfast
- Boot & Breakfast "Slapen in Vertrouwen", Kalenberg Noord 5, Kalenberg. Tel.: 31 (0)561-477573. The "Vertrouwen" is a restored cargo ship from 1924. The ship is comfortably furnished and has very good beds. The shower, toilet and infrared cabin are located in the bathing house next to the ship, as are a refrigerator and cooking facilities (there is fresh salad in the garden).
- B&B de Imme. B&B de Imme is located in an idyllic location in the heart of the “Weerribben”. Ideal for lovers of silence and nature. Both the entire B&B - it has space for a maximum of 8 guests - and a single room are available for rent.
camping
- 2 Recreatiecentrum / Camping De Kluft, Hoogeweg 26, Ossenzijl. Tel.: 31 (0)561 477370. Website also in German. Well-equipped place with 300 tourist places. The marina is integrated into the square. But it's not cheap either. 1 pers. With a small tent you can quickly pay more than € 10 including taxes and fees.
- 3 Mini campsite De Stille Verkwikking, Lageweg 20, Ossenzijl. Tel.: 31 (0)561 477343. A real farmer's campsite with cattle and horses. Unfortunately, the website only gives an all-in price for 2 people. by car (€ 13).
- 4 Cafe-restaurant Het Doevehuis, Kalenberg-Zuid 1, Kalenberg. Tel.: 31 (0)561 477394. Located in the middle of the national park, there is space for 9 caravans and a few small tents. Boats and bicycles can be rented.Price: A small tent with 1 person. costs € 7.50, each additional person € 4 more, 1 large tent or caravan € 4.50. Taxes and fees are included.
security
One can get lost in the swamp forests or fall into the water. In addition, there should still be the moor spirits (especially when there is fog) ...
trips
Closes directly to the south De Wieden on, the new part of the nature park. And a little further north is the nature reserve "De Rottige Meente", also a former peat cutting area.
