NR959: Maasdünen und Reindersmeer

The tour takes us from the international airport of Weeze towards the German-Dutch border. Shortly after leaving the airport area, we make our first short stop and enjoy a view from a lookout point over a renatured gravel excavation.

Soon after, we reach the border, which only draws attention with a few traffic signs and the old customs house. A few meters further begins the Dutch national park 'De Maasduinen'.

The Maasduinen are the longest river dune chain in the Netherlands. They extend from Arcen near Venlo for about 23 km northwest along the Maas river to Gennep. This uniquely beautiful landscape was put under protection and is today one of 21 national parks in the Netherlands. The landscape consists of dunes, wet meadows, forests, lakes, moors, pastures, and heathlands. In many places, herds of goats and sheep as well as Scottish Highland cattle graze to prevent scrub encroachment and to leave space for the heather. We roll comfortably over undulating terrain, often on soft forest floor and through pine groves, which in summer provide us not only with shade but also delight us with a pleasant fragrance.

At the visitors center 'De Maasduinen', where one can learn about the formation as well as flora and fauna, we make our second stop of the tour. The visitors center is located in a disused lock that connects the two former gravel lakes Leukermeer and Reindersmeer. While there are many tourist facilities at Leukersmeer, Reindersmeer is protected.

We continue along the Reindersmeer. Time and again we are treated to impressive views over the unspoiled lake and dune landscape. In the area of the Dutch village of Well, we leave the national park and pass the disused customs house again.

From here, we head towards the Weeze district of Wemb, to the last stop of the tour. At the farm café Winthuis, coffee and cake beckon. Strengthened, we then return to Weeze.