Achter t Veen, Oudemolense Veld and De Heest Loop

This easy loop is a low-effort, high-reward wander through the Drentsche Aa landscape near the hamlet of Oudemolen (Drenthe)—a patchwork of old stream valleys (“diepjes”), wet meadows, reedbeds, and open fields that stays remarkably flat. Expect ~6 km / ~3.7 mi with essentially ~0 m / ~0 ft of climbing, but don’t underestimate how *wet* the ground can be: the challenge here is footing, not elevation.

Nearest clear start landmark / address: a very practical place to begin is the Molensteeg car park on Molensteeg in Oudemolen (a recognized Drentsche Aa starting point), close to the village and the route’s wetland sections. ([drentscheaa.nl](https://www.drentscheaa.nl/algemene-onderdelen/secundaire-navigatie/english/where-shall-we-start/?utm_source=openai)) If you want a “hard” address to plug into a satnav, the iconic nearby landmark is the historic windmill De Zwaluw, Molensteeg 8, 9484 TE Oudemolen—useful as a meeting point even if you park elsewhere. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Zwaluw%2C_Oudemolen?utm_source=openai))

Getting to the start (car + public transport) - **By car:** Aim for **Oudemolen (municipality of Tynaarlo, Drenthe)** and follow local signs toward **Molensteeg**; the **Molensteeg car park** is specifically listed as a Drentsche Aa starting point. ([drentscheaa.nl](https://www.drentscheaa.nl/algemene-onderdelen/secundaire-navigatie/english/where-shall-we-start/?utm_source=openai)) - **By public transport:** Oudemolen is a tiny hamlet, so the simplest approach is usually **train to Assen** (a major nearby rail hub) and then a regional bus/taxi onward toward the Oudemolen/Gasteren area. If you’re building the trip, check current connections and stops in your journey planner and then load the walking line into **HiiKER** for on-the-ground navigation.

What the terrain feels like (and why it’s “easy”) Over 6 km (3.7 mi), you’ll be on a mix of: - **Firm farm tracks and sandy paths** around the higher, drier edges - **Narrower grassy lines** along drainage ditches and meadow margins - **Wetland-adjacent sections** where the path can turn soft, slick, or puddled after rain

Even with near-zero elevation gain, plan for mud—especially in and around De Heest and the stream-valley ground. Waterproof footwear is the single best upgrade for comfort here.

Nature, wildlife, and what to look out for This loop threads through the broader **Drentsche Aa** system—an area famous for its small, branching streams and valley habitats. The Drentsche Aa is known as one of the few Dutch stream systems that still meanders in a relatively natural way, and locally the waterways carry different “diep” names. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drentsche_Aa?utm_source=openai))

In De Heest, you’re walking a landscape that was heavily altered for agriculture about a century ago, then deliberately shifted back toward nature starting in 1995—so you’ll see a “rewilded” valley with water given more space again. ([drentscheaa.nl](https://www.drentscheaa.nl/%40128801/heest/?utm_source=openai)) Wildlife and plant highlights commonly associated with this area include: - Wetland flowers and stream-edge plants (think marshy, species-rich margins rather than showy alpine blooms) - Insect life around clean, slow water—dragonflies/damselflies are especially noticeable on calm days - Beaver activity is part of the modern story in De Heest’s waterways, and the area is also noted for species like river lamprey in the broader ecological management discussion. ([drentscheaa.nl](https://www.drentscheaa.nl/%40153165/verborgen-strijd-heest/?utm_source=openai)) Bring binoculars if you enjoy birds: open meadows and reedier edges can be productive, especially in quieter morning hours.

Landmarks and cultural history along the way You’re in a region where nature and cultural history overlap tightly. The Drentsche Aa landscape