Bekendelle, park in the Netherlands
Bekendelle is a wetland forest south of Winterswijk, a nature area with old alders, ash, elm and oak trees. The Boven-Slinge stream flows through the site and creates small water features in former meanders, where plants like water forget-me-not and brooklime grow.
The area was designated as a Natura 2000 protected site in 2010 and is part of the National Landscape of Winterswijk, which spans about 22,000 hectares. Parts of land formerly used for farming are being restored to natural habitats.
The name Bekendelle refers to a known valley and reflects people's long connection to this landscape. The walking path along the stream shows how visitors have used this quiet spot to find peace and escape from daily routines.
The walking path follows an easy route through the forest and is straightforward to navigate, but the ground can become soft and muddy after rain. Good footwear is recommended to walk safely on the trails.
The kingfisher is one of the area's main attractions, flashing bright colors along the stream. The site also hosts the rare middle spotted woodpecker, a specialized bird species found in few other European forests.
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