Sassenhein, Nature area with peat lakes in Haren, Netherlands
Sassenhein is a nature reserve featuring two connected peat lakes surrounded by meadows in the Westerpolder region near Haren. The landscape displays the characteristic features of a former peat extraction site, with gently sloping shores and diverse water and grassland areas.
This area was mined for peat until the early 20th century when Hein and Saskia Aalderink purchased it in 1909 and transformed it into a nature reserve. Their decision to protect the recovering landscape turned an exhausted industrial site into a lasting conservation area.
The name Sassenhein comes from Saskia and Hein Aalderink, the couple who shaped this place and left their mark on the local identity. Walking through the reserve, you sense their commitment to keeping this wetland natural and undeveloped.
The reserve is accessible via well-marked hiking trails that connect to the broader Drentse Aa network and start conveniently from Haren. The paths accommodate different fitness levels and walking preferences.
A statue on the pavilion terrace depicts Hein Aalderink gazing over the lakes he restored to nature. This monument reminds visitors of the personal story behind the reserve's creation.
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