Oostvaardersplassen and Krentenplas Loop

The loop is almost perfectly flat—about 32 km / 20 mi with roughly 0 m / 0 ft of climbing—so the challenge is less about elevation and more about distance, wind exposure on dikes, and staying on the limited-access path network around one of Europe’s most famous “new wilderness” wetlands.

Getting to the start (nearest address / landmark)

A practical start point for a long loop here is the main visitor hub on the Knardijk:

• Buitencentrum Oostvaardersplassen (Staatsbosbeheer), Kitsweg 1, 8218 AA Lelystad, Netherlands (by the Knardijk and railway viaduct). (mapcarta.com)

By car: From the A6, use exit 10 (Lelystad) and follow directions toward the Knardijk area; there’s parking at/near the visitor centre. (visitflevoland.nl)
By public transport: This side of the reserve is not convenient by bus (the nearest stop can be a long walk). A common workaround is train to Lelystad Centrum and continue by rental bike (or a long walk) to the visitor centre area. (visitflevoland.nl)
If you want a more PT-friendly gateway to the broader Nieuw Land / Oostvaardersplassen experience, the Oostvaarders Nature Experience Center (Almere) is reachable from Almere Oostvaarders station with about a 30-minute walk—but that’s a different access point than Kitsweg 1. (opreismetco.nl)

What the route feels like underfoot (and why it’s “easy”)

Expect wide, well-made paths, dike-top tracks, and compacted gravel/earth with short boardwalk/bridge sections near wetter edges. Because you’re walking in reclaimed polder land, gradients are negligible; the “easy” rating fits the terrain, but 32 km / 20 mi still demands pacing, food, and foot care.

Wind is the silent factor: the open polder and dike lines can be breezy to punishing, and in wet seasons the chill can cut through quickly. Bring a windproof layer even when forecasts look mild.

The landscape you’ll be walking through

Oostvaardersplassen sits in Flevoland, a province created by large-scale land reclamation as part of the Zuiderzee Works. The reserve itself formed in a polder created in 1968, when parts didn’t dry as planned and shallow pools, reedbeds, and marsh developed—eventually becoming internationally important wetland habitat and later part of Nieuw Land National Park (est. 2018). (en.wikipedia.org)

You’ll notice two big “moods” to the scenery: - Wet core and reed sea: broad reedbeds, open water, and muddy margins that draw huge numbers of birds. (en.wikipedia.org)
- Drier fringes / scrub and woodland patches: willow, shrubs, and mixed edges that feel more sheltered and often hold mammals.

Wildlife and what to look out for

This is one of the Netherlands’ standout places for birding and big grazers—often at surprisingly close range (but still wild).

Birdlife: The area is known for species such as great egret, spoonbill, cormorant, bittern, and notably the white-tailed eagle, which has become a flagship species here. (en.wikipedia.org)
Bring binoculars if you have them; even without, you’ll often see mass movements of geese and raptors riding the wind.

Large herbivores: You may encounter Konik horses, red deer, and Heck cattle—introduced as part of a rewilding-style management approach. (en.wikipedia.org)
Give them space: don’t try to “pass through” a herd. If animals are on the path, wait, detour only where permitted, and keep a calm, predictable line.

Seasonal closures: Parts of the reserve’s path network can close at certain times of year for wildlife management/seasonal protection. Check your route in HiiKER shortly before you go and