Witte Venn in Ahaus
Discover one of the most beautiful local recreation areas in the Westmünsterland region in Ahaus: the ‘Witte Venn’. The Venn comprises a landscape characterised by heathland, moorland and grassland. The area extends beyond the border into the Netherlands. On the Dutch side, most of it belongs to the Natuurmonumenten Foundation, whilst on the German side it is owned in part by the district of Borken and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.
A unique landscape with special plant and animal species
The nature reserve has preserved a number of habitats that are now rather rare to find, such as bog woodlands and heathland. Distinctive plant species such as cottongrass and lungwort, as well as various animal species such as common frogs and moor frogs, are native to this area. Rare bird species such as teal, hobby and corncrakes thrive in the Witte Venn.
To maintain the heathland, bog and grassland areas, around 50 English Hereford cattle also graze on the Dutch side of the Witte Venn. These undemanding and hardy animals spend their time in a herd comprising cows, calves and bulls, outdoors all year round. A circular walk takes you right through the pastures – here you can admire the cattle up close.
