Vrees: Moorland, forest and bridleways

Vrees is best experienced through its landscapes and trails: moorland, forest and riding routes offer different ways to enjoy a stay. The local history at Heimathaus Vrees is another point of interest. To start planning, consider whether you are mainly interested in riding, hiking, birdwatching or local events. The specific places and routes bring these options to life before you choose accommodation and decide what to focus on during your trip.

Moorland and nature watching

The Vreeser Wiesen is a lowland bog, while Bockholter Dose is a raised bog. Both are part of the Bockholter Dose nature reserve and provide habitats for many plants and animals. A wooden boardwalk runs through the Vreeser Wiesen, bordered by heathland and purple moor grass. Information boards cover bog plants and animals, beekeeping, sheep grazing for landscape management, and the protection of meadow birds. Two wooden shelters beside the boards provide spots for a picnic.

At Bockholter Dose, there is an observation tower about ten metres high. From there, you can look out over the raised bog landscape and watch numerous bird species. If you would like to explore the area on foot, the Dosenmoortour is a hiking route of around 15 kilometres from Vrees through the nature reserve. The boardwalk, observation tower and hiking route offer different experiences: the boardwalk crosses the Vreeser Wiesen, the tower opens up views over the raised bog, and the tour takes you on a longer route through the protected area.

Choose bridleways by distance and route

Riding activities in Vrees can start at the Mimameid Emsland riding station, with guided or independent rides. The station offers overnight accommodation as well as paddocks, horse stalls, an open stable and an indoor riding arena. Check the specific arrangements before your trip.

The three bridleways described differ in length and route. The Plingenberger Steine bridleway is 6.6 to 8.4 kilometres long and passes through forest; it can optionally be extended to the Plingenberger Steine and along the sand pit. The Herzogsbusch bridleway covers 9.8 kilometres on mulched sand paths through the forest and along its edge. At 18.6 kilometres, the Queckenberg bridleway is longer; there is a shelter beside the route after 6.7 kilometres. These distances and route descriptions can help you decide which ride to plan. As trail conditions can change, check them before setting out.

Forest and local history

Most of Eleonorenwald lies within the municipality of Vrees, where it is used for cycling, hiking and riding. The Emsland Route also includes Eleonorenwald in Vrees among its destinations. In the wider Emsland travel region, this route is a 395-kilometre circular trail through five landscapes: Nördliches Emstal, Hümmling, Bourtanger Moor, Hasetal and Südliches Emsland. It offers a broader regional perspective, while the descriptions of Vrees’s trails and landscapes remain distinct.

Heimathaus Vrees is a historic half-timbered building that opened as a local history museum in 1992. Bookable celebrations and events are held there, including musical performances and kale suppers. The programme may change, so check specific dates if you would like to plan your visit around an event.

Plan your overnight stay

There are six motorhome pitches at the Schützenplatz in Vrees, around 500 metres from the town centre. Their number and location provide a useful starting point for planning; check the pitch details before you arrive. Together with the overnight accommodation at the Mimameid Emsland riding station, these are two different types of accommodation. Which one suits your plans depends on whether you are travelling by motorhome or looking for a stay connected with the riding facilities.

Discover more destinations: Niederlangen, Bawinkel, Herzlake, Werpeloh, Esterwegen, Geeste, Holthausen, Twist.

Back to the main travel overview: Emsland.