Stuifzand: Landscape, Trails and History

Near Stuifzand, the Oude Diep winds through a varied landscape of meadows, hedgerows and streamside woodland. Heathland and woodland areas are also nearby. There are also signposted cycling and walking routes, as well as historic sites. This lets you choose nature watching, outdoor activities and local history as different focuses for your stay.

Landscapes around Stuifzand

The nearby Boerenveensche Plassen nature reserve, west of Stuifzand, encompasses an extensive heathland area with large expanses of water and heath pools. Birdlife is rich in species: during migration, ruffs, bean geese, greenshanks and black-tailed godwits are often seen there. The wetland has few paths, so walking there is limited. However, birds can be observed easily from the elevated Kerkweg. This makes the difference between a path through the area and a viewing point on its elevated road concrete.

The Spaarbankbos lies west of Stuifzand, beyond the Hoogeveen–Assen railway line. The forest is freely accessible via roads and walking trails; a route marked in purple also runs through it. The landscape varies by part of the forest: former drifting dunes lie in the east, while a pool with bog plants is found in the west. These include cranberry, round-leaved sundew, cottongrass and various peat mosses.

Walking and cycling

The signposted “Naar Siberië (en weer terug)” walking route is 13 kilometres long. It runs from Hoogeveen through Stadterij, Stuifzand, Zwartschaap and Siberië to Tiendeveen and back to Hoogeveen. Along the way, you’ll pass forests, fields and pastures. The route is not paved throughout—a key difference to bear in mind when planning your walk.

At 67 kilometres, the signposted “10 Dorpenroute Veenkoloniën” cycling route is considerably longer and designated for cycling. It passes through Fluitenberg, Pesse, Stuifzand, Tiendeveen, Nieuweroord, Noordscheschut, Hollandscheveld, Nieuwlande, Elim and Nieuw Moscou. The two routes therefore differ both in length and in how you travel. As signage and route conditions can change, it’s worth checking the route and trail conditions before setting off.

Local history and historic sites

Stuifzand was founded towards the end of the 18th century. Workers and farmers settled there to cultivate the sandy soils. A former peat-cutter’s house recalls the living conditions of earlier residents: at the Kleinste Huisje van Drenthe in Stuifzand, “Olde Grietien” lived with her five children into old age.

The Reformed Bethelkerk, a green-painted wooden church dating from 1933, stands on Zwartschaap road. A historic image offers another glimpse of the older heathland landscape: “Plaggenhut met schuurtje” depicts a sod hut with a shed on the heath near Stuifzand, dating from 1890–1895. The Zwarte Zaterdag monument is located at Wijsterseweg 147, 7934 TE Stuifzand.

Regional cheese

The organic cheese farm Kaasboerderij JUSTA is another specific place to visit around Stuifzand. Visitors are welcome by prior arrangement. JUSTA cheese is made at the dairy from cow’s milk. If you plan to visit, arrange it in advance.

Discover more destinations: Hollandscheveld, Pesse, Fluitenberg, Nieuwlande, Nieuweroord, Elim, Hoogeveen, Tiendeveen.

Back to the main travel overview: Hoogeveen.