Beilen: Culture, Walking Routes and Nature

A trip to Beilen can be planned from several perspectives: historic buildings and local attractions sit alongside short walking routes through the village, while the Terhorsterzand to the south offers a different landscape. There are also seasonal nature sightings and recurring annual events. Which stops are right for you depends on whether you want to focus on local history, walks, cycling or a festival.

Cultural History and Art

The Stefanuskerk is a monumental Gothic church dating from the 14th and 15th centuries and is one of Drenthe’s six Dingspilkerken. It was the only building to survive the great fire of 1820. The Oudheidkamer Beilen also offers a glimpse into local cultural history: since 1980, it has had its own exhibition space in a building on Kampstraat.

The Molen van Makkum tells the story of a grain mill. It was built in 1906 to replace a post mill that had been blown over. The Fontein offers a different perspective: this work of art symbolises water flowing inward from the adjacent Beilervaart. Cultural themes therefore range from church architecture and exhibition history to the succession of mills and art.

Walking Routes and Walks

The Dorpsommetje Beilen is a short, 3.5-kilometre circular route through Beilen. It starts at the Stefanuskerk. The starting point is about a ten-minute walk from Beilen station; the actual walking time may vary depending on the route. This makes it possible to plan a short walk around the village alongside getting your bearings from the station.

Another route option, the Rondje Schapendrift, is easy to walk for people with limited mobility. It follows the nature trail and the Schapendrift. The fruit trees blossom from around mid-April, while various wildflowers appear along the nature trail from around mid-May. Blooming periods may vary, so the time of year is worth considering when planning your visit.

The Beleefpark has a disc golf course, several fruit trees, interactive features for children, as well as picnic tables and benches. If you have a particular activity in mind, check the latest information before your visit, as the park’s facilities may change.

Nature in the Terhorsterzand

The Terhorsterzand lies south of Beilen. This nature area includes 60 hectares of woodland and 120 hectares of heathland and peat bogs. Several sandy paths and its boundary with the Dwingelderveld nature area make longer walks possible. The Terhorsterzand also has a shallow swimming pond with a sandy beach; the water is no more than one metre deep. This offers a different setting from a short circular walk through Beilen, with the focus here on the landscape, sandy paths and longer hikes.

Cycling Route and Events

The Boerderijen Fietspuzzeltocht takes place every year on the second day of Pentecost and covers approximately 38 kilometres. Dates and organisational details vary from year to year. If you plan to take this cycling route, check the date for your travel year.

At the annual Bourgondisch Beilen, local and regional hospitality businesses serve culinary creations to the public as part of a competition. Admission is free. Dates, the programme and participating businesses may vary with each edition, so check the details for the relevant event if you would like to plan your stay around it.

Discover more destinations: Spier, Ruinerwold, Orvelte, Hijken, Drijber, Hooghalen, Mantinge, Elp.

For the overview of the wider area: Midden-Drenthe.