Across the Besthmenerberg: forest, heath and the finest view in Ommen
6 km · 1h 30m · Moderate
Nature
Springendal & the Mosbeek Valley
Twente
Where the water rises from the ground
North-west of Ootmarsum, on the push moraine left behind by the last ice age, lies Springendal & the Mosbeek Valley: a Natura 2000 area of more than twelve hundred hectares. You feel the difference in elevation under your feet as you descend into the valley, where groundwater rises straight to the surface and feeds clear little springs. It is one of the few places in the Netherlands where you can truly hear the water emerge.
The lime-rich spring water creates unusual growing conditions here. Along the banks bloom plants you rarely meet elsewhere, and in the shade of old beeches you catch the damp, earthy scent of a landscape that never quite stands still.
Walking along the Mosbeek
The Mosbeek winds through the valley and carries you along almost without effort. You walk over sandy paths and little wooden bridges, past nutrient-poor grasslands, wet heath and stretches of stream-accompanying forest. Here and there a watermill still stands, a reminder of the days when the brook did the work. With every bend the picture changes: from open meadow to enclosed wood, from babbling water to complete silence.
Those with patience are rewarded. Dragonflies hunt above the heath, the rare brook lamprey lives in the stream, and on warm summer evenings you may encounter the stag beetle, one of the largest beetles in Europe.
A landscape to wander in
The Springendal cannot be hurried. You come here not to tick off a route, but to lose yourself among springs, beeches and winding paths, and to breathe more slowly than you are used to. After a day outdoors you carry the quiet of Twente with you for hours.
Best seasons
Spring · Summer · Autumn
Things to do
- Walking
- Birdwatching
- Nature photography
- Exploring springs and brooks
In the area
Location
Address
Twente
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Frequently asked questions
Where exactly is Springendal & the Mosbeek Valley?
The area lies north-west of Ootmarsum, on the Ootmarsum push moraine in north-east Twente. It falls within the municipalities of Dinkelland and Tubbergen in the province of Overijssel.
What makes this Natura 2000 area special?
The combination of elevation difference and rising, lime-rich groundwater is rare in the Netherlands. As a result, unusual plants grow here and species such as the brook lamprey and the stag beetle live here, while several brooks like the Mosbeek and the Springendalse Beek rise from springs.
When is the best time to visit?
In spring and summer the springs and the brook valley are at their finest and nature is at its richest; in autumn the beeches and woods turn warm in colour. Many paths are freely accessible year-round.
