Stippelberg and Klotterpeel

The starting point of this circular hike is the parking lot Stippelberg 1 in De Rips, opposite the forest house.
Right after the start, you enter a recently developed forest area. Many trees were removed to give new and lower vegetation a chance. This brings back the natural character of the forest.
Continuing along a beautiful winding forest path, you head towards Klotterpeel. In this largely untouched open nature reserve, there are several large moors and the Koordekanaal. Beautiful nature with many different birds.
After a short car-free stretch, you re-enter the forests of Stippelberg. Following forest paths, you head towards the other open nature reserve. A striking feature is the huge ant nest along this path.

After some swing gates, you reach a large fenced nature reserve with heath fields, reed grass, and here and there a pine or oak tree. Inside the enclosure, a large herd of Scottish Highland cattle grazes, keeping the grass short. This gives the heather and other low vegetation a better chance of survival.
In the middle of the route through this nature reserve, there is still an old bunker from World War II.
Continuing on the other side of this open nature reserve, you come to a lookout tower. From here, you have a beautiful view over this nature reserve.
From there, you head back along a lovely forest path towards the endpoint. At halftime, you still have a nice view of the villa that stands here in the middle of the forest. Notable are the damages caused by wild boars in the adjacent fields.
After a short while, you pass by the forest house and reach the endpoint.

A beautiful and varied hike through a piece of nature reserve that is part of the approximately 1000-hectare forest area De Stippelberg.

Highly recommended.