County Search for Traces - On the Trails of Forest and Water

Schüttorf is considered the oldest city in the Grafschaft Bentheim, its history dates back to the 12th century. The city is located on the foothills of the wooded Bentheimer Berg, a sandstone formation up to 80 meters high from the Cretaceous period. Until the beginning of the 20th century, there were large heath areas in the Schüttorf city area, which are now primarily used for agriculture. The last heath was converted into agricultural land in 1993. If you follow the route in a northwesterly direction, you will come across the Große Maate, an idyllic river floodplain landscape fed by the Vechte. In this area, you will come across numerous small ponds that are repeatedly filled by floods. This unique water landscape provides a habitat for many rare animal and plant species. With a little luck, you may see a kingfisher or lapwing. In the northernmost part of the route, hikers can explore the Heidfeld nature reserve. In one part of the reserve, the forest has been taken out of use as a natural forest. Just outside the city gates, there is also the Quendorfer See, a recreational area where you can go swimming.