ENVIRONMENTALLY RICH

The county of the Grafschaft Bentheim is truly scenic. In the North (the Niedergrafschaft) both forests and hill moor areas are found, while in the South (the Obergrafschaft) edges of the Teutoburger Forest can be enjoyed (100 meter elevation). Cutting through the area are several small rivers like the Dinkel and the Vechte.

Regardless of whether you visit the area using your bicycle, your motorbike or simply a car, the Grafschaft as well as the Emsland region and the dutch side of the border can be explored with ease. Of course, you can go out on your own and see where you end up. But the most picturesque spots, the most wonderful tracks and the smallest museums can only be found if you ride one of the many plotted routes.

Those who enjoy riding inlineskates or skeelers can hardly find a better spot than the Lower County of Bentheim. Several hundreds of kilometers of extremely quiet rural roads with clean asphalt truly turn this area into a small paradise. An ideal place for a weekend, together with some of your fellow skate-club members!

CAR- AND MOTORBIKEROUTES

In case you would like to enjoy one or more plotted routes and have a great experience, Bed&Breakfast Ardane will supply you with route information, maps and brochures. Some are even free of charge, for others we have to ask for a few euros.
We recommend:

Pioneer routes: Energy, Moor and Two Cultures (Dokument [Dutch] ») - Three all new routes in the border area between Bad Bentheim, Emmen and Meppen (Emsland) invite you to explore an extraordinary, rural, rather unknown and quiet environment. The "Pionierrouten", plotted and opened to the public in July, 2004, allow visitors to see the impressive Bourtanger Moor, one of the last remaining original turf moor landscapes in Central Europe, and a lot of interesting highlights from the past.
Local BMW motorbike dealer routes (Website [German]») - A brand new BMW Motorcycle dealership, Motorradzentrum Helming organizes day tours and training sessions throughout the year. They even have BMW motorcycles for rent, so here's your chance to stay at B&B "Ardane" for a couple of nights, ride a BMW bike and participate in a group ride.

BICYCLE ROUTES

For bicyclists, Bed&Breakfast Ardane has an extended supply of brochures and maps available, as well.
We recommend:

Kastelen (Castles)-Route - follow the tracks of monks, knights and noblemen. This 171km long round track can easily be covered in three stages (or one stage for the sports bicyclist). It takes you through the southern Emsland area, the county of Grafschaft Bentheim and the dutch provence of Overijssel.
Kunstwegen-Route (Website [German] ») - Since the Summer of 2000, 60 sculpture projects along a 140km track called "Kunstwegen" constitute one of the largest open museums of Europe. Most of these art works are positioned out in the open, and are open to the public thoughout the year.
Grafschafter Fietsentour (Website ») - A large network of bicycle tours, with one round trip and several subroutes and connection paths, all of them good for a day's ride. This way, you can have days of pleasant bike trips, see heath, moor and forest, discover hidden wind and water mills, visit castles or art galleries. Of course, these routes take you into and out of small villages, where coffee and lunch facilities can be found.
Tracing the Black Gold track - this bicycle track, very convenient with only 23km, demonstrates the history of oil production in the communities of Osterwald and Scheerhorn in a lively manner. You'll see small oil pumps apparently randomly spread in the fields. A literal highlight of this tour is the oil production plant. Several displays along the route tell the visitors more about all aspects.
Tracing the Moor Workers - another relatively short route of just over 20km length. It informs you of the way turf moor fields were exploited in the previous centuries. From the first colonials around Wietmarschen in the 18th century until today, where the higher class village of Fuchtenfeld comes into play. Again, displays at roadsides inform the visitor about turf production, environmental aspects, water management and transportation issues.

WALKING

You'll be able to walk almost everywhere, relaxed or as a sports challenge (for instance Nordic Walking).
We recommend especially:

Podagristenpad - On a rainy summer day in the year 1843, three men from Coevorden, the Netherlands, got onto their feet and walked all the way through the county of Grafschaft Bentheim to Burgsteinfurt...and back. Although the legend says that they were healed from a bad form of gout ("Podagra") by bathing in the Bentheimer Bath, the truth is that they used a farmer's carriage for the main part of their trip.

AND WHERE ELSE TO GO?

The "Erlebnisführer" (Experience Guide) of Emsland Region and the county of Grafschaft Bentheim, available at the B&B, lists dozens of destinations, fun parks, museums and routes.
Just to mention a few:

Art and sculpture park Olmes (Website [German] ») - The sculpture park Olmes was opened in 1998, after a three years construction phase. On a 20.000 square meters area, visitors see and experience modern installations and sculptures of various types, as well as a rich flora and fauna habitat.
Emsland Moormuseum (Website ») - Opened in 1983, the Emsland Moor museum features an indoor and an outdoor exhibition of architecture and techniques or moor management, turf production and landscape cultivation.
Swimming pools Lingen (Website [German] ») - No matter what the weather is like, a day in the pools of Lingen is always a treat.
Emsland open air theatre Meppen (Website [German] ») - Plays are being performed May through September - regardless of the weather! Enjoy a mix of relaxed and exciting play by both amateurs and professionals. Not only on bright, sunny days.
Zoo Nordhorn (Website [German] ») - Around the historic Vechte farm, many "home animals" from the past and the present, some of them threatened species, live together.
Pool with artificial waves Nordhorn (Website [German] ») - One of the main attractions here is the 10 meter tower. Jump off, or simply watch others doing so. Exciting, too, is the large pool with artificial waves. Almost like a day at the beach.
Golfpark 't Sybrook Enschede (Website [Dutch] ») - A truly beautiful and challenging golf course on the dutch side of the border, only 35km away from the B&B.

EVENTS

There's always something to do, throughout the year. Events planned for the area around Bed&Breakfast Ardane are:

Event calendar of Neuenhaus and surroundings »
Event calendar of Nordhorn and surroundings »
Event calendar of Emlichheim and surroundings »

COME TO OSTERWALD

Have any questions? Want to make reservations? Or just like to see how to get to Osterwald?
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Bed&Breakfast Ardane, Ottenkamp 3, 49828 Osterwald
T: +49-5941-925821, M: b-and-b@ardane.com