Hoogstede is a destination for travelers who want to combine hiking trails with tangible traces of local history. Two hiking trails of different lengths start at the village square; there is also the Catholic Church of St. Boniface, built in the Romanesque Revival style, and the peace oaks on Schwarzen Weg. When planning, it is worth distinguishing between the routes by their approximate length and considering local history, nature, and regional culture as separate topics.
Hiking on Two Different-Length Routes
The green hiking trail in Hoogstede is about 11 kilometers long and leads from the village square past the Möllenkamp housing development toward Scheerhorn. The red hiking trail is about 6 kilometers long; it runs from the village square along Molkereistraße to Bathorner Diek. Both start at the village square, but differ in length and route. If current trail conditions are important for your hike, check the local signs.
The hiking trails in and around Hoogstede designated by the local heritage association can also be cycled. This means the trails can be used for cycling as well as hiking. You can initially decide which of the routes described suits your plans by considering its approximate length and course.
Church, Peace Oaks, and Memorial
The Catholic Church of St. Boniface in Hoogstede is a brick building in the Romanesque Revival style dating from 1859. The three peace oaks on Schwarzen Weg were planted in 1913. The two dates mark different historical reference points: 1859 is the year the church was built, and 1913 is when the trees were planted.
A memorial to the former Arkel chapel is located at the Scholten-Meilink farm in the municipality of Hoogstede. At children’s birthday parties held at the farm, animals are fed and children play in the straw in the play barn. If you are planning such activities for a birthday, ask the farm about availability.
Tree Planting and Nature in the Municipality
At Hoagsteeder Familiengoarn, you can plant a tree for a personal occasion or simply for no special reason. The planting tradition continues, but the annual date may change. If you are planning to take part, check the date in advance.
The Vechte Altarm Kalle is also located in the municipality: a nature reserve in the Kalle district of the county of Grafschaft Bentheim. Alongside the hiking trails, a designated nature reserve is another local nature feature.
The Wider Region: Grafschaft Bentheim
Grafschaft Bentheim provides a regional setting for more nature and culture. Its landscape ranges from heathland, raised and lowland bogs, and wooded ridges to the Vechte river valley. Itterbecker Heide is a nature reserve covering around 85 hectares. Kunstwegen is an open-air museum dedicated to contemporary art, nature, and history. It stretches for more than 180 kilometers through the Vechte valley, with more than 80 sculpture projects along the route.
Tourists staying overnight in Grafschaft Bentheim can enjoy a mobility benefit with the Grafschafter Gästekarte: it allows them to use buses and trains throughout the county free of charge. Check the card’s current terms and conditions when planning your trip.
Discover more destinations: Emlichheim, SchĂĽttorf, Lage, Wilsum, Laar, Getelo, Georgsdorf, Uelsen.
Return to the regional travel overview: Grafschaft Bentheim.
