Flamingo Route

The Zwillbrocker Venn is known for the world's northernmost flamingo breeding colony. The nature reserve is therefore already the first highlight on the route and offers an ideal introduction. From March to July, the flamingos enjoy the picturesque moorland and heathland landscapes as well as the shallow lakes of the region. And a visit is also worthwhile at a later date. 60 different bird species and countless other animal species, as well as rare plant species, are at home here.

The tour then leads across the Dutch border to the Haaksberger Venn. With almost 600 hectares, the second natural spectacle awaits its guests here: botanical specialities such as the white beaked reed, the lung gentian and the moor lily in a moor and heath landscape as far as the eye can see.

The next destination on the route is the Buurserzand conservation area. Juniper stands that are over 150 years old can be discovered here. The tour continues along small moors and forests in a fairytale-like manner.

In the Lünten fish pond, as the name suggests, a diverse fish population can be marvelled at. Until 1952, the originally dammed pond was used for fish farming.

The next protected area unites the Netherlands with Germany. In the Witte Veen, in addition to well-preserved wet meadows, moorland areas and still waters, Heck cattle can also be observed.

A few kilometres further on, the next natural spectacle awaits its guests and invites them to take a detour on the moor experience trail Amtsvennroute.

On the Flamingo Route, bicycle fans are guided through the bird paradise of the Kuhlenvenn. In the centre of the Venn is the 10-hectare groundwater lake.

The cycle route continues through the Burlo-Vardingholter Venn to Bekendelle. Bekendelle captivates with its numerous small streams and the almost 200-year-old forest with special bird species, such as the kingfisher or the grey wagtail.

The circular tour ends in the Korenburger Venn. The almost 500-hectare area threatened to become Winterswijk's largest forest area due to the spread of shrubs and trees. Thanks to targeted watering measures, however, the area could be protected and is now a beautiful moorland with numerous orchid species.

The Flamingo Route stretches across the western Münsterland and parts of the Netherlands. There are therefore many options for starting the route.
If travelling by train, the route can be started in Ahaus, Bocholt, Borken, Epe, Gronau, Legden and many other places.

If you start the Flamingo Route at the Zwillbrocker Venn, you can use the "Zwillbrocker Venn car park". And even if you start the cycle tour in a different way, you will find numerous parking possibilities in the respective villages.