De Borg, Siepelveen and Mooi Zeegse Loop

This easy loop is a low-relief walk of about 9 km (5.6 mi) with roughly 0 m (0 ft) of climbing, threading together quiet Drenthe countryside, small woodland edges, and open wetland/meadow landscapes around the Zeegse–Oudemolen area. Expect mostly flat footing, big skies, and long views across fields and nature reserves—more about atmosphere and wildlife than elevation or technical terrain.

Getting to the start (car + public transport) Because your start is listed only as “near,” the most practical “nearest known” start area for this loop is typically around **Zeegse (Drenthe)**—a small village just south of **Assen** and close to the **Drentsche Aa National Landscape**. A common, easy-to-find meeting point in the area is near **Zeegse village center** (around the church/central crossroads) or a nearby signed parking area for Drentsche Aa walking routes.

- By car: Aim for Zeegse, Drenthe (Netherlands) and use village parking or a signed nature-area car park on the edge of the Drentsche Aa landscape. Roads here are narrow; drive slowly and expect cyclists, farm traffic, and soft verges. - By public transport: The nearest larger rail/bus hubs are usually Assen or Groningen (depending on where you’re coming from). From there, regional buses can get you toward villages like Zeegse / Oudemolen / Taarlo; the final approach may involve a short walk from the bus stop to the loop start. When planning, check the last return bus time—service can be limited outside peak hours.

If you share the lon/lat for the trailhead (or a GPX), I can pin it to the nearest specific landmark/address and tailor the approach directions precisely.

What you’ll walk on: expect a mix of farm lanes, compacted paths, grassy tracks, and short woodland sections. After rain, some stretches near wetlands can be soft, muddy, or waterlogged, even though the route is flat.

Route flow and what to expect underfoot Over **9 km (5.6 mi)**, the loop typically alternates between: - **Open agricultural edges** (wide views, wind exposure) - **Heath/grassland and wet meadow margins** (birdlife, seasonal flowers) - **Small woods and shelterbelts** (shade, leaf litter, occasional roots)

Because the elevation gain is essentially negligible (~0 m / 0 ft), pacing is straightforward. Most hikers will take 2–2.5 hours at a relaxed pace with stops for wildlife watching and photos.

Landmarks, landscape character, and nature This area sits within the broader **Drentsche Aa** landscape—one of the Netherlands’ best-known examples of a relatively intact **stream-valley system** with a patchwork of **meadows, hedgerows, small woods, and historic field patterns**. Even when you’re not right beside the stream, the land often feels “valley-shaped” and damp in places, which is why you’ll notice: - **Reedbeds and wetter ditches** along field edges - **Alder and willow** in damper pockets - **Oak/birch** on slightly drier ground

Wildlife is often the highlight on a flat loop like this: - Birds: look for geese, herons, buzzards, and in wetter sections, smaller waders depending on season. Early morning and late afternoon are best. - Mammals: roe deer are possible at woodland edges; you may also see signs of fox or hare in open fields. - Insects/flowers: in spring and summer, expect butterflies and meadow blooms; in late summer, grasses and seed heads dominate.

If parts of the loop pass close to wetland (such as around a “veen”/fen area suggested by names like *Siepelveen*), keep an eye out for boardwalks or narrow trods—these can be slick when damp.

Historical significance of the region Drenthe is known for its deep-time human landscape: prehistoric burial monuments (hunebedden) occur across the province, and the Drentsche Aa area is valued for preserving **old settlement patterns**—villages on slightly higher ground with surrounding **esdorpen**-style fields and hay meadows in the lower, wetter zones. Even when you don’t pass a single “big” monument, the route often feels historic because: - field boundaries and lanes can follow **very old alignments** - the mosaic of small parcels reflects **centuries of farming** - stream-valley meadows hint at older haymaking and grazing traditions

Navigation and practical planning (Easy doesn’t mean “no prep”) Even on a short, flat loop, the main pitfalls are **wrong turns at farm-track junctions** and **seasonal mud**. Use **HiiKER** to: - confirm you’re on the correct track when multiple parallel farm lanes appear - check for any short reroutes (e.g., temporary closures, livestock management) - keep an eye on distance remaining so you can time breaks and bus connections

What to wear/bring: - Footwear: light hiking shoes are fine in dry spells; after rain, consider water-resistant shoes because grassy tracks can hold water. - Wind layer: open fields can feel colder than expected. - Tick awareness: in grassy edges and woodland margins, do a quick tick check after the hike (common in many Dutch rural areas). - Respect working land: you may pass close to farms—keep to