Grolloo

Heart of Drenthe - Grolloo

This parking lot is located in the northern part of the Heart of Drenthe, close to the village of Grolloo. The management unit Heart of Drenthe is an area of 5000 hectares of contiguous nature with extensive forests, breathtakingly beautiful fens, heathlands, and stream valleys. At any time of the day you are in the area, the experience is always different. The mysticism of sun and mist, the scent of everything that grows and blooms, the alternation of open fens and dark forest... The seasons... And the feeling that sometimes you have nature all to yourself. Especially during weekdays you can roam here without meeting a single person. Usually it is very quiet here and often pitch dark at night. Where else can you find that in the Netherlands? The Heart of Drenthe is a source area for many brooks. The Drentsche Aa, the Elperstroom, the Vecht, and the Hunze are fed with water from this area. The water flows off in all directions. It is important not to let the water flow away quickly through ditches. That is better for nature, but also for downstream cities and villages. The water is retained longer here in wet periods so that people do not get wet feet there. The Heart of Drenthe is a water buffer with high nature values.

Off-leash dog areas - Your dog is allowed off-leash in the designated off-leash dog areas. This parking lot is in an off-leash area. When leaving the off-leash area, you will see a sign with a dog on a leash. Rest for the wild animals living here is vital.

Roe deer - Numerous roe deer live in the Heart of Drenthe. You mainly see them in the early morning and at dusk. In the morning, when after a night of feeding in the fields, they seek the cover of the forest again, or at dusk when they come out of the forest to feed in the fields around the forest. But sometimes you can also see roe deer during the day on the fields.

Wilderness route - From this parking lot you can walk the adventurous wilderness route. Via narrow (plank) paths, through green tunnels and winding human trails, you reach the most beautiful spots in this new wilderness. This route is suitable for children from about four years old. There is a long and a short route. Fens In the Heart of Drenthe, there are more fens than anywhere else in the Netherlands. These waters were formed during the ice ages. A package of ice tens of meters thick slid over the north of the Netherlands. Due to the great pressure in the soil, layers of boulder clay were formed all over Drenthe, a kind of finely ground stone that resembles clay. Water cannot pass through that, so water remained in low-lying places. Now we are happy with these fens because they harbor many special plants and animals. Cotton grass, cottongrass, cranberries, and sundews grow abundantly here. Cotton grass and cottongrass create white waving tufts in Junt Beautiful to view from the wooden bridge over the Grolloerveen.

Adders - Drenthe is the last province in the Netherlands where many adders still live. Also here in the Heart of Drenthe. Adders like to lie at the edges of fens and along walking and cycling paths. So it is not only important for these animals that you stay on the paths, but also for your beloved four-legged friend. Adders mainly hunt mice, lizards, and insects. They will flee if possible and are not aggressive.

Do you have questions or tips? Report them to the forester Info www.staatsbosbeheer.nl thomas@staatsbosbeheer.nl nlstaatsbosbeheer

Adder - Not loved by everyone, but important in the Drenthe ecosystem Last stronghold of the adder in the Netherlands. Declining nationwide. Roe deer Many roe deer live in this area. If you hear bleating, it may be a dog, but also a roe deer. They bleat as well.

Grolloerveen - In 1994, the asphalt road through the Grolloërveen was removed and this wooden bridge was made at that place. The forest Mystical in all seasons of the year Cotton grass Cotton grass has many tufts. So multiple tufts on one stalk Cottongrass always only one.

More information about Staatsbosbeheer and outdoor water activities? Click on www.staatsbosbeheer.nl