Weiteveen lies in the heart of Bargerveen, one of the largest remnants of raised bog in the Netherlands. The surrounding area combines unspoilt raised bog with extensive, partly undeveloped areas that stretch beyond the German-Dutch border. At the same time, landscapes and works of art tell the story of peat extraction and nature conservation. You can shape your stay around nature and the traces of local history.

Raised bog and changing landscapes

Unspoilt areas of raised bog have been preserved in Bargerveen. They are home to plant species unique in the Netherlands, including five-ranked bog moss and long-leaved sundew. Weiteveen is surrounded by extensive raised bog areas, some of them undeveloped, that stretch beyond the national border.

The landscapes also differ in how they have been shaped: Schoonebeeker Veld is a unique, varied cultural landscape that is increasingly being returned to nature. Amsterdamsche Veld, by contrast, has been largely drained for peat extraction. It is open and rich in water, providing a habitat for many bird species. Together, these areas represent different aspects of the bog landscape—from preserved raised bog to areas where the balance between human use and nature is changing.

Plan bog walks and routes

At Veenpoort Natuur, you can join a bog walk through the unique Bargerveen nature reserve with a local guide. For walking and cycling trips, the junction networks in Bargerveen and the surrounding area also cross the German-Dutch border.

The Veenlandroute starts at Schaapskooi Weiteveen and follows the walking junction network. The “Weiteveenroute” walking route is closed from 4 May 2026 until around January 2027 due to extensive construction work at Buffer South. If you are planning to take this route, allow for the stated construction period and check the current route status before setting out.

There is also a named cycling option: the “Veenomenaal” route follows the cycling junction network and includes Veenpoort in Weiteveen. Cycling and walking routes are available at the Natuur Infocentrum. This lets you choose between a guided bog walk and routes based on the relevant junction network, without treating the different route details as interchangeable.

Sheepfold, Lammetjesdag and local history

Schaapskooi Weiteveen is the largest sheepfold in the Netherlands for conservation grazing. It can accommodate 1,000 sheep and 110 cattle. Every spring, it opens its doors to visitors for Lammetjesdag. You can see, pet and feed newborn lambs. The date may vary from year to year; check the announced event dates before including the day in your travel plans.

The Natuur Infocentrum provides cycling and walking routes and is housed in the former Mariakapel. The Veenloopcentrum offers a different historical perspective: it explores how nuns and pioneers once lived in a village in the middle of the bog. The two places therefore offer different focuses—one combines route planning with the history of a former chapel, while the other explains life in the bog.

Works of art also recall the history of the area. The “Non van Weiteveen” is a bronze statue honouring the former convent. “De Gescheurde Steen” consists of a large split boulder and commemorates peat extraction. Together, they point to different historical connections: the former convent and the work that shaped the bog landscape.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Emmen, Nieuw-Amsterdam, Zwartemeer, Erica, Schoonebeek, Emmer-Compascuum, Roswinkel.

Back to the main travel overview: Emmen.