Round Lepelaarplassen

Description

This 12-kilometre route runs through a special part of Flevoland. Start the exploration at Oostvaardersdiep 16 in Almere. The visitor centre De Trekvogel used to be located here.

Discover the special and rich bird world of the Lepelaarplassen and enjoy the wide views over water, reed beds and wet grasslands. By bike or on foot: a trip around the Lepelaarplassen is a wonderful nature experience in every season. On the website of Het Flevo-landschap you can download the cycle route 'Rondje Lepelaarplassen'.

Migratory bird grassland

When you cross the road, you already have a good view of the Migratory Bird Meadow. In winter and early spring, this land is partly flooded and is home to all kinds of migratory birds. Lapwings nest and turelus, greenshank, snipe, little ringed plovers and families of greylag geese also wander here.

Observation hut

Continue along the cycle path and over the little bridge. This is one of the kingfisher's regular fishing spots. The beaver is also active here. Downed willows along the water's edge betray its presence. Follow the grassy path to the spoonbill hut. This hut offers great views over the heart of De Lepelaarplassen. The willows along the path are home to many forest birds. The shallow lake is an old sand extraction pit. In and around the island, hundreds of special birds reside, which you can watch here in peace and quiet.

On to the skyline

Continue along the cycle path. Immediately after the wooden bridge, turn right into a narrow cycle path. After about a kilometre, cycle or walk across a wide concrete bridge. Here you look out over the sprawling elderberry bushes of De Lepelaarplassen. The panoramic view over de Noorderplassen and the skyline of Almere Stad is impressive and soothing at the same time.

Wet Grasslands

Further on, the cycle path widens and you have arrived at the Wet Grasslands. Two observation screens along the path give great views of this meadow area.

Continuing via the Oosvaardersdijk

The tour continues along the cycle path to the Oostvaardersdijk. To the left is the city forest De Pampushout and to the right you cycle back towards the starting point with a beautiful view over the Kwelzone and the Kwelplas, located in De Lepelaarplassen and the Markermeer.

Swell zone and Swell pond

The Kwelzone is a wetland reed strip along the Oostvaardersdijk. A little further on, you come to a vast lake. This is the shallow Kwelplas, fed by seepage water; water that seeps under the dike. An ideal pond for ducks, geese and swans.