Anyone who now walks along the forest edge near Emmen will mainly see green, hears birds whistling and walks on a route that is loved by local residents. But there is a special past under that peaceful landscape. A local walker, Mathijs Braams, emailed us with an intriguing question: what is the history of the so -called ‘Wall of Emmen’?
The ‘Wall of Emmen’ is on the edge of Emmen-Zuid, not far from Angelslo. In the sixties and seventies this site was used as a municipal landfill. The exact opening date is difficult to find, but according to information from the municipality of Emmen and the water board, the dumping location was in use until the early 1980s.
Home waste was deposited, but bulky waste and industrial waste also ended up. After the location was closed, the mountain was covered with land for years and slowly got a second life as a nature reserve. Nowadays it is officially called the ‘Emmerdennenwal’ and it forms a striking element in the landscape, with a view of about fifteen meters high, the ‘wall’ to which the place owes its nickname.
The transformation from landfill to recreational area began in 2019, when local entrepreneurs Ben Timmermans (Avitec) and Bert Fuhler (Fuhler Loon and Rental Company) have the idea of transforming the former landfill into a sporting draw. With the support of the municipality of Emmen and the province of Drenthe, the plan became reality.
The wall of Emmen was officially opened on 28 May 2021. The hill, with a height of 48.05 meters above NAP, was therefore slightly higher than the VAM mountain near Wijster at the time was and was considered the highest point in Drenthe. However, the VAM-Berg was raised by 2023 to 63 meters above NAP, and now is therefore toward the wall of Emmen.
Under the grass -green hill is still the waste from the time of the landfill. According to the municipality of Emmen, the former landfill is covered with a thick layer of land and the area is closely monitored.
Regular checks are carried out to ensure that no harmful substances are released and that the area remains safe for recreational use. Until now there are no indications that there are risks to visitors’ health.
The result of the metamorphosis may be there. The wall of Emmen is nowadays a popular destination for athletes, walkers and nature lovers. Several routes have been set out, including a climbing route of more than 400 meters with a rise percentage of 9 percent.
For cyclists and mountain bikers it is a tough challenge, while walkers enjoy the view over Emmen and the wider area. The project was realized with an eye for sustainability and reuse of raw materials from the region.
Despite the beautiful appearance, the place also recalls a time when waste management was far from sustainable. What exactly lies, partly guesses. Documents from the sixties and seventies are scarce. But the fact that the former landfill is now a green oasis feels like a nice turn for many residents.
The municipality of Emmen remains responsible for safety and supervises periodic inspections, according to information on the Avitec website and municipal documents that can be found online.