Kraggenburg: Nature Trails, Netl Park and History

Kraggenburg is surrounded by forests, natural areas and agricultural land; wide-open views are part of the landscape. This makes walks, nature watching and cultural attractions different interests to explore on a trip.

Forest Trails and Landscapes Along Different Routes

The Kadoelerbosroute leads through a wet forest and offers views across the Kadoelerveld. Along the route, you may spot mushrooms, birds, butterflies and Scottish Highland cattle. The starting point is the car park on Kadoelerweg; brown arrows mark the route.

The Stienteroute offers a different kind of walk: this varied forest stroll passes through deciduous and coniferous woodland, along ponds and over bridges; there is a place to take a break at the Zwolse Vaart. While the Kadoelerbosroute stands out for its wet forest, views across the Kadoelerveld and wildlife-watching opportunities, the Stienteroute is defined by its woodland types, waterways and bridges.

Various cycling routes around Kraggenburg follow many well-maintained cycle paths through forests, along the water and across the mound of Oud-Kraggenburg. They complement the walking trails, offering a way to discover the landscape and historic sites by bike. The bicycle ferry between Kraggenburg and the Waterloopbos offers walkers and cyclists a short, free connection from Kraggenburg to the Waterloopbos and back. If you include this connection in your plans, check the timetable in advance.

Netl Park and Other Activities

Netl Park has dunes, swimming water, bamboo forests, walking trails and natural play materials. The park in Kraggenburg is home to the largest bamboo forest in the Benelux. Netl’s day visit includes an obstacle course; check the latest operating details before setting out. At Vuurtorenstrand in Netl Park, you can rent canoes and SUP boards from Kokomo Verhuur. The water, paddling options, obstacle course, bamboo forest and walking trails offer a different focus from the forest walks described above.

The Voorsterbos is home to 800 of the 3,500 mushroom species found in the Netherlands. Route 8317 is available as a GPX file to download and in printed form from participating organizations. At Vink Fruitboerderij, seasonal, recurring rides on the “Pluktrein” travel through the orchard and provide information about fruit growing. As this activity is seasonal, check the dates if you are interested. Speeltuin Buitengewoon De Voorst also has a minigolf course.

Art and History in Kraggenburg

Oud-Kraggenburg was a former islet or peninsula in the Zuiderzee. The lighthouse keeper’s house stood on a mound; at its foot is a small inner harbor, also known as a refuge harbor. Sailing ships and steamships once sought shelter there in fog and storms.

De Dorpsgemeenschap, a public artwork by Theo Mulder from 1977, is located on Voorstraat in Kraggenburg. The landscape artwork PIER+HORIZON by Paul de Kort is in the Zwarte Meer. The former Sint-Jan-de-Doper Church is a municipal monument; the building has been converted for residential use. Historically, the Roman Catholic church in Kraggenburg was the first permanent Catholic church in the Noordoostpolder to open its doors.

Discover more destinations: Rutten, Bant, Emmeloord, Marknesse.

Return to the main travel overview: Noordoostpolder.