The Oostvaardersplassen is a 56-square-kilometre wetland and grassland reserve on the northeastern edge of Almere — accidentally created when the Flevoland polder was drained in 1968 and a low corner of it stayed too wet to farm. Today it is one of the most important wetland reserves in Western Europe, with greylag geese, white-tailed eagles, spoonbills, bitterns and large free-ranging herds of Konik ponies, Heck cattle and red deer.
The reserve is closed to walkers in the core area but several bird hides and viewing platforms along the southern edge are open year-round, and the Oostvaardersveld visitor area on the south side has waymarked walking and cycling trails. The best access points are the Schollevaarweg car park near Lelystad and the Praamweg in Almere-Buiten. Bring binoculars — the herds and the marsh birds are often a kilometre out.