Hiking Trails with Your Dog Around Emmen: Forests, Peatlands, and Waterways

Around Emmen, you’ll find plenty of nature to explore on foot, and in many places, you can let your dog off the leash. Take a walk through the woods and across the shifting sand dunes of the Emmerdennen, follow the trails along the Hondsrug, or venture into the vast high moors of the Bargerveen. Prefer a walk along the water? At the Grote Rietplas, there’s a fenced-in dog beach where your dog can swim year-round.

From a short walk through the woods to a long hike through the Drenthe countryside: below you’ll find the most beautiful hiking trails for dogs around Emmen, with details for each trail including the distance, the type of landscape, and whether your dog is allowed off-leash.

Where can you take your dog for a walk around Emmen?

Forests, heathland, raised bogs, and water are all located close together around Emmen. As a result, every walk is different. For a short loop, head to the Noordbargerbos or Oosterbos. Want to cover more kilometers? Then choose the Emmerdennen, the Valtherbos, or one of the hiking trails through the Bargerveen.

In five of the six areas listed below, you can let your dog run free, and at the Grote Rietplas, you’ll even find a fenced-in dog beach.

Check out all the hiking trails in Emmen and choose a route that suits you.

Where can you let your dog run free around Emmen?

In many places, this is allowed, but it varies by area. The general rule in the municipality of Emmen is: keep your dog on a leash within built-up areas; outside of these areas, it may run free. In cemeteries surrounded by green space, a leash is still required, and dogs are not allowed at all in playgrounds, sandboxes, or public play areas—not even on a leash.

In addition, there are designated off-leash areas in the forests around the city. Your dog is allowed to run off-leash there year-round, as long as it comes back when you call it—even if a cyclist or a deer happens to pass by. From March through July, birds nest on the ground, even right along the trails. During that period, dogs must be kept on a leash in many areas, and keeping them on a leash is advisable in any case.

The signs at the entrance to an area always take precedence, even if a route map suggests otherwise. Check them before you start—it’ll save you trouble along the way. Not sure about an area? The access sign at the entrance tells you exactly what the rules are.

Emmerdennen: Hiking Across Shifting Dunes and Through the Forest

The Emmerdennen are located near the city center. This wooded area is a beautiful spot for a nature walk without having to travel far from Emmen. You’ll walk among old Scots pines, across shifting sand dunes, and through a landscape with surprisingly varied elevations. Part of the area is therefore also known as “Little Switzerland.”

Along the way, you may come across the D45 dolmen. This dolmen is located atop one of the hills. Several hiking trails have been marked out in the Emmerdennen; you can follow them by looking for the colored posts. The longer loop is about 9 kilometers, but you can also opt for a shorter hike.

Do you walk your dog? In the eastern and western parts of the Emmerdennen, you can let your dog run free.

Read more about the Emmerdennen.

Noordbargerbos and Oosterbos: for a short walk

Would you like to go outside for a bit? If so, the Noordbargerbos and Oosterbos are great options. The Noordbargerbos is located on the south side of Emmen and is part of the Hondsrug. A loop through the forest is about 3 kilometers long, making it ideal for a short walk.

The Oosterbos is also a peaceful place to go for a walk. There are several trails running through the area, so you can decide for yourself how long your walk will be.

Both forests are also great places to take your dog for a walk. In the Oosterbos, your dog can run free. In the Noordbargerbos, there is a designated off-leash area. On the yellow Noordbargerroute, dogs must be kept on a leash.

Check out more places for nature and relaxation in Emmen.

Valtherbos: Nature and Dolmens

The Valtherbos is located between Emmen and Klijndijk. This nature reserve is also part of the Hondsrug. The forest is interesting not only for its natural beauty but also for the traces of the past it holds. During a walk, you’ll come across burial mounds, old cart tracks, and dolmens, among other things. The route through the Valtherbos is about 8 kilometers long, making it a great choice if you want to go for a longer walk.

Are you bringing your dog? There are off-leash areas in the southern and northernmost parts of the Valtherbos. In the section in between, you must keep your dog on a leash.

Want to discover more about Drenthe’s history? Then be sure to check out the hunebeds in Drenthe.

Bargerveen: Hiking Through the Raised Bog

For a completely different landscape, head to the Bargerveen. Here, you can hike through a vast raised bog area featuring heathland, water, boardwalks, and sweeping views. The Bargerveen is one of the last remaining active raised bogs in Northwestern Europe. You can choose from various hiking trails ranging from about 3 to 12 kilometers. This means you can enjoy either a short loop or a longer hike through nature.

Dogs are welcome in the Bargerveen, but must be kept on a leash in most of the nature reserve. In Buffer Noord, north of the Hogeweg, your dog may run free. Possible starting points include the Veenloopcentrum in Weiteveen, the Schaapskooi, and Restaurant Wollegras.

Learn more about the Bargerveen.

Grote Rietplas: Walking Along the Water’s Edge

In addition to forests, heathland, and peatlands, there’s plenty of water around Emmen. At the Grote Rietplas, you can take a walk of about 6 kilometers around the lake. Along the way, you’ll walk along the water’s edge and through the surrounding greenery. Going for a walk with your dog? On the east side of the Grote Rietplas, there’s a fenced-in dog beach. Here, your dog can run free, play, and swim. This way, you can combine a walk around the lake with a visit to the dog beach.

Parking is available at the end of Boerweg in Emmen. Keep your dog on a leash from the parking lot to the dog beach.

Make a day of it: check out what else there is to do in Emmen.

Which walking route is right for your dog?

The walking trails around Emmen that are suitable for dogs vary considerably in length and character. Which one is best for you depends on how far you want to walk and what your dog enjoys. Here’s a quick checklist:

• Young or older dog, short distance: the Noordbargerbos or a loop around the Grote Rietplas.
• A dog that loves to run and listens well: the Oosterbos or the Noordbargerbos, both of which are off-leash areas.
• Water Rat: the dog beach at Grote Rietplas.
• A long walk with plenty to see: the Valtherbos or the Emmerdennen.
• Dogs that are easily distracted by wildlife: the Bargerveen on a leash, or the marked trails in the Emmerdennen.

The rules for dogs vary by nature reserve and by season. Therefore, always check the signs at the entrance before you start your walk.

Plan your walk: check out cycling and hiking around Emmen.

What should you keep in mind when walking your dog?

Four things make the difference between an enjoyable walk and an unpleasant one.

• The breeding season: From March through July, birds nest on the ground, including along the trails. Keeping dogs on a leash is required in many areas during this time and is advisable everywhere.
• Ticks: Ticks are active in forests and on heathland from early spring through fall. Check your dog after a walk—and check yourself, too.
• Sheep and Wildlife: Flocks of sheep graze in and around the Bargerveen. If you come across a flock, keep your distance and keep your dog on a short leash.
• Water and Heat: On hot days, go for a walk early in the morning or in the evening. Bring water with you, because not every route passes by a body of water.

Be prepared before you go: the signs at each entrance explain the rules for that area.

View all routes around Emmen and choose your fall hike.

Fall Hiking Around Emmen

The natural surroundings of Emmen are also worth exploring in the fall. The leaves change color, and the cooler temperatures make it pleasant to take a longer walk. For a real forest hike, you can visit the Emmerdennen, the Noordbargerbos, the Oosterbos, or the Valtherbos. The Bargerveen, on the other hand, offers plenty of open space and sweeping views.

After it rains, the trails in the woods and on the peatlands may be wet or muddy. That’s why good hiking shoes are a good idea. Are you taking your dog for a walk? If so, be sure to bring a towel for after the walk.

Where can you stay with your dog in and around Emmen?

If you want to hike for more than a day, you’ll want to stay overnight. In and around Emmen, you’ll find hotels, campgrounds, vacation parks, and nature cabins, and some of them welcome dogs. A nature cabin is a logical choice if you’re bringing your dog: you’re right in the middle of nature and can step right out the door for a morning walk.

Things to keep in mind when booking a trip with your dog:

• Surcharge and number: Many accommodations charge a fee per dog per night and have a maximum number of dogs allowed.
• Fenced-in yard: handy if your dog can’t run free everywhere, or if you just want to relax by your cottage.
• Leaving your dog alone: Not all accommodations allow you to leave your dog alone. Be sure to check this in advance if you plan to be out for the day.
• Distance to a dog-off-leash area: From the south of Emmen, you can walk right into the Noordbargerbos; from the west, into the Emmerdennen.

Stay the night: check out staying overnight in Emmen and the nature cabins in Drenthe.

Plan your walk around Emmen

From forests and shifting sand dunes to raised bogs, heathland, and water: there’s plenty of nature to explore around Emmen. Choose a short walking trail through the woods, cover more kilometers along the Hondsrug, or set out on a hike through the Bargerveen.

View all hiking trails in Emmen and choose which one you’d like to hike first.