Visitor information National Park Weerribben-Wieden

Tourist information

At the visitor center, you’ll find information about routes, boat trips, and activities for children. You can also learn more about the nature in De Wieden. There is a shop with nice gifts, as well as coffee or tea with local treats. This wetland nature area of over 6,000 hectares in the Kop van Overijssel is an oasis of space and tranquility. Join a ranger on a boat trip across the vast lakes (the “wieden”). Take a walk through the reed lands or enjoy a bike ride through the flower-rich meadows in the area. At the visitor center, you can also watch an exciting film about the sunken village of Beulake.

Waterbus

Travel across De Wieden by boat: step aboard on the Waterbus. Bicycles and dogs are welcome on board. It’s great to combine the Waterbus with a scenic bike ride through the area. The Waterbus sails twice a day between Sint Jansklooster and Giethoorn and Blokzijl from the May holidays through September. More information and tickets can be found here.

Boat trips with ranger in De Wieden

The best way to explore De Wieden is by boat. During the excursions with open boats, the skipper is also a ranger or nature guide. Along the way, you can expect fascinating stories about the preserved landscape and its unique nature. Step aboard the ‘Aalscholver’ or the ‘Zwarte Stern’, quiet electric boats that glide silently through this remarkable marshland. The excursion boats offer beautiful routes through De Wieden, varying in length and character. From April through October, the boats depart from the jetty at Visitor Center De Wieden in Sint Jansklooster. Check the agenda for the current excursion schedule.

Walking trails

The boardwalk trail is a short, circular path (1 km) over floating land. Here you can experience De Wieden on a small scale: a landscape of lakes and pools, reed beds, ditches, and swamp forests. Otters live here, countless birds nest here, and in spring and summer you can see beautiful wildflowers in bloom. This walk is wheelchair accessible.

Behind Visitor Center De Wieden, a wellies trail runs through the marsh (2,3 km). This marsh path winds right through the reed beds, so make sure to wear boots or sturdy shoes. Along the way, you cross several wide ditches using hand-pulled ferries. A fun adventure for older children.

OERRR Play Area

Building huts, mud, water, and a barefoot trail—Nature Play Area De Wieden is a wonderful place for children to play outdoors! There is a play area with water and sand, a barefoot trail, branches ready for building huts and a water pump. Come and discover together how “OERRR” (wild and adventurous) you are. 

Water Tower

The water tower in Sint Jansklooster stands in the middle of National Park Weerribben-Wieden. It was built between 1931 and 1932 and officially opened as a viewing tower in 2014. Climb the wooden stairs to the top and enjoy the view from 45 meters high over the beautiful nature of De Wieden. Our tower guides are ready to give you a tour.