There are 10 kilometres of mountain bike trails on the VAM-berg. A dedicated mountain bike course includes, among other features, a 300-metre wooden bridge and a 60-metre floating water bridge. There is also a cycling route of more than 40 kilometres along the Oude Diep. When choosing a route, it is worth distinguishing between the distances: 10 kilometres refers to the mountain bike trails on the VAM-berg, 300 and 60 metres to the two structures on the course, and more than 40 kilometres to the cycling route along the Oude Diep. If you are planning your ride by route type, this distinction is more useful than directly comparing the distances.

Walking: two routes with different points of interest

The “VAM-berg and the Oude Diep” walking route is 5 kilometres long. The “Wijster: Landgoed Vossenberg” walking trail is also 5 kilometres long. It passes through woodland and heathland and offers a view of the Reigerveen. It starts at the bridge over the Linthorst-Homankanaal on the road from Wijster to Bruntinge. Since both routes are the same length, their landscapes provide a clear point of comparison: the first route names the VAM-berg and the Oude Diep, while the second mentions woodland, heathland and the view of the Reigerveen.

Seasons and habitats

East of the VAM-berg, the restored Oude Diep winds its way through the small-scale landscape at De Maten once again, amid nutrient-poor meadows, wooded banks and rows of trees. In spring, some areas in the region may turn pink with orchids, including the rare Harkelijn orchid. Pesserma on the Oude Diep provides a habitat for bluethroats, whinchats and river warblers. Signs of otters have also been found in the area. The rare floating bladderwort grows in the Reigerveen, turning the area white in summer. The seasonal references to the plants therefore differ: orchids may colour the area pink in spring along the Oude Diep, while the plant gives the Reigerveen a white appearance in summer.

Around 80 bird species live at Landgoed Vossenberg, including the rare red-backed shrike. The species observed may change over time. Scottish Highland cattle also graze on the estate; their presence may vary by season.

De Blinkerd on the VAM-berg

The De Blinkerd information centre is located on the VAM-berg at Vamweg 5, 9418 TM Wijster. It provides information about the restoration of the Oude Diep, Attero’s waste processing and water management in a stream valley system.

Archaeology and remembrance

The excavation near Wijster of a large settlement with a burial ground dating from Roman times and the early Middle Ages is internationally renowned. The archaeological farm type known as Wijster, dating from the Roman Imperial period, was named after the excavations at Wijster. The archaeological references also differ in period: the settlement with its burial ground dates to Roman times and the early Middle Ages, while the farm type dates to the Roman Imperial period. Another historical point of interest is the memorial panel commemorating the Wijster train hijacking. It was installed on 14 December 2015 at the level crossing on Oosterseveldweg. The name Landgoed Vossenberg is also thought to derive from one of the burial mounds in the area.

Discover more destinations: Beilen, Spier, Smilde, Drijber, Zwiggelte, Ruinerwold, Westerbork, Witteveen.

For the broader travel overview: Midden-Drenthe.