Hunzdal Hondsrug Exloo

This walking route starts at the Zoersche Hof, the restaurant of Golfclub Exloo, which is also accessible to walkers and cyclists. We begin with a climb over the Zuideresch, which is about 15 meters higher than the Hunzedal and the Zoersche Landen. Then we head towards the Molenveld, an expansive heathland grazed by the Exloër sheep herd, and to the Odoorner Pines, a very varied and hilly sand drifting area. We end in the equally hilly Hunzebos with burial mounds, a dolmen, and a meltwater valley. Many names in this area and around the city of Groningen refer to the river Hunze. Unfortunately, much of its course has disappeared due to canalization, road construction, and other projects of progress. Originally, the Hunze meandered through the marsh east of the Hondsrug. At this moment, there is a hard work in progress for the restoration of the old river.
The Hondsrug is a 70 km long ridge that stretches from the city of Groningen to Emmen. In 2013, the area was given the status of Geopark, making it the only one in the Netherlands on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Against the German border in Westerwolde, Groningen, there is another sandy ridge from Wedde to Ter Apel along the Ruiten Aa. And in Germany, east of the river Eems, lies the Hümmling. All remnants from the last Ice Age. 89% of this walking tour is unpaved.