Between the village of Zwartemeer and the Bargerveen nature reserve lies Buffer Noord, a 65-hectare buffer zone. The different themes for a stay include living raised bog at ’t Veenland, trails and facilities in Buffer Noord, and seasonal birdwatching at Bargerveen. When planning, it is worth comparing the activities: the walk, cycling route, and Men- en ruiterroute Bargerveen differ in mode of travel and length.

Moorland and trails

The Bargerveen nature reserve lies in the heart of ’t Veenland, where you can experience living raised bog. In Buffer Noord, there are fishing spots along the water, information boards, bridleways, cycling paths, and a barefoot path. A cycling path runs along the eastern dike. This gives you several options: you can choose a cycling route, use the trails on horseback, or explore the water’s edge and the barefoot path. When planning your day, you can first consider which activity you want to focus on, then choose a suitable route.

Walk, cycling route, or riding route

A walk described in 2022 starts at the bus stop on Eemslandweg in Zwartemeer. From there, it heads straight onto an unpaved path through the buffer zone created around Bargerveen. Check trail conditions before setting out, as the route description dates from 2022.

The “Ontdek het Bargerveen” cycling route is listed as accessible, is 21 kilometres long, and follows wide, paved paths. It is separate from the cycling path on the eastern dike in Buffer Noord. For horse-drawn vehicles and riders, the Men- en ruiterroute Bargerveen runs through the area and is about 9 kilometres long. The distances offer a point of reference when choosing an activity: the 21-kilometre cycling route can be compared with the roughly 9-kilometre route for horse-drawn vehicles and riders. Parking for horse trailers is available at Laardijk, 7894 AS Zwartemeer.

Birdwatching at Bargerveen

The Bargerveen birdwatching hut is on the north side of Bargerveen. It has a bench and viewing openings at two different heights, with views of two bodies of water. Birdwatching is also seasonal: in spring and summer, Klauwierens can be spotted in the area near the hut; in winter, especially Klapeksters. If birdlife is the reason for your trip, you can take this seasonal change into account when choosing when to visit.

A building with a history

The Sint Antonius van Paduakerk is a Neo-Gothic church built in 1921 by Johannes Sluijmer of Enschede. Its architectural style, year of construction, and architect offer a specific cultural theme alongside the landscape and outdoor activities. This means you can plan your stay around more than just your chosen route: combining nature watching and architecture can also help you decide what to focus on.

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

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