{"id":8480,"date":"2026-09-18T15:37:36","date_gmt":"2026-09-18T13:37:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ontdekemmen.nl\/routes\/hiking-trails-for-dogs\/"},"modified":"2026-10-16T09:27:55","modified_gmt":"2026-10-16T07:27:55","slug":"hiking-trails-for-dogs","status":"publish","type":"routes","link":"https:\/\/ontdekemmen.nl\/en\/routes-en\/hiking-trails-for-dogs\/","title":{"rendered":"Hiking Trails for Dogs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Hiking Trails with Your Dog Around Emmen: Forests, Peatlands, and Waterways<\/span><\/h1>\n

Around Emmen, you\u2019ll 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\u2019s a fenced-in dog beach where your dog can swim year-round. <\/span><\/p>\n

From a short walk through the woods to a long hike through the Drenthe countryside: below you\u2019ll 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.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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\"\" Where can you take your dog for a walk around Emmen?<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

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. <\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Nature Reserve<\/th>\nDistance<\/th>\nLandscape<\/th>\nWalking with a dog<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Emmerdennen<\/td>\nApprox. 9 km<\/td>\nForest, shifting sand dunes, and a hunebed<\/td>\nOff-leash areas in parts of the forest<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Noordbargerbos<\/td>\nApprox. 3 km<\/td>\nForest on the Hondsrug<\/td>\nDogs must be on a leash for the most part<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Oosterbos<\/td>\nVaried<\/td>\nQuiet wooded area<\/td>\nOff-leash area<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Valtherbos<\/td>\nApprox. 8 km<\/td>\nForest, elevation changes, and dolmens<\/td>\nTwo off-leash areas<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bargerveen<\/td>\n3 to 12 km<\/td>\nRaised bog, heathland, and boardwalks<\/td>\nMostly on-leash<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Grote Rietplas<\/td>\nApprox. 6 km<\/td>\nWater and greenery<\/td>\nFenced-in dog beach<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n


\nCheck out all the <\/span>hiking trails in Emmen<\/span><\/a> and choose a route that suits you.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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\"\" Where can you let your dog run free around Emmen?<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

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\u2014not even on a leash. <\/span><\/p>\n

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\u2014even if a cyclist or a deer happens to pass by. <\/span>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.<\/span><\/p>\n

The signs at the entrance to an area always take precedence, even if a route map suggests otherwise. Check them before you start\u2014it\u2019ll save you trouble along the way. <\/span>Not sure about an area? The access sign at the entrance tells you exactly what the rules are.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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\n © Chantal Eelen<\/span> \"Sfeerbeeld <\/figure>\n <\/section>\n\n
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\"\" Emmerdennen: Hiking Across Shifting Dunes and Through the Forest<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

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\u2019ll 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 \u201cLittle Switzerland.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

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. <\/span><\/p>\n

Do you walk your dog? In the eastern and western parts of the Emmerdennen, you can let your dog run free. <\/span><\/p>\n

Read more about <\/span>the Emmerdennen<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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\"\" Noordbargerbos and Oosterbos: for a short walk<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

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. <\/span><\/p>\n

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. <\/span><\/p>\n

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. <\/span><\/p>\n

Check out more places for<\/span> nature and relaxation in Emmen<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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\"\" Valtherbos: Nature and Dolmens<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

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. <\/span>During a walk, you\u2019ll 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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. <\/span><\/p>\n

Want to discover more about Drenthe\u2019s history? Then be sure to check out the <\/span>hunebeds in Drenthe<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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\"\" Bargerveen: Hiking Through the Raised Bog<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

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. <\/span>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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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. <\/span>Possible starting points include the Veenloopcentrum in Weiteveen, the Schaapskooi, and Restaurant Wollegras.<\/span><\/p>\n

Learn more about <\/span>the Bargerveen<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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\"\" Grote Rietplas: Walking Along the Water’s Edge<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

In addition to forests, heathland, and peatlands, there\u2019s 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\u2019ll walk along the water\u2019s edge and through the surrounding greenery. <\/span>Going for a walk with your dog? On the east side of the Grote Rietplas, there\u2019s 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Parking is available at the end of Boerweg in Emmen. Keep your dog on a leash from the parking lot to the dog beach. <\/span><\/p>\n

Make a day of it: check out <\/span>what else there is to do in Emmen.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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\n Robin Giesen<\/span> \"Sfeerbeeld <\/div>\n
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\n Robin Giesen<\/span> \"Sfeerbeeld <\/div>\n
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\"\" Which walking route is right for your dog?<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

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\u2019s a quick checklist: <\/span><\/p>\n