Doldersum: Heathland, Trails and Village History

Doldersum is an esdorp (a village with a traditional common green), with a history dating back to the early Middle Ages. North of the village lies the extensive, wet Doldersummerveld heathland nature reserve, which is part of Drents-Friese Wold National Park. Hiking trails cover different distances and themes; in the village and surrounding area, historic sites also tell the story of the landscape’s development and its inhabitants.

Heathland and nature

There are 111 breeding bird species in Doldersummerveld, including 20 considered critically endangered. On the edge of the area is the Sophiahoeve ecological farm. In summer, Limousin cattle kept there graze on the heathland. As well as the wet heathland, seasonal landscape management and birdlife are therefore central to this natural area.

The unattended Huenderhoeve information centre offers information about heathland management, the sheep flock, the esdorp of Doldersum and the Vledder Aa stream. The topics connect nature and village history, ranging from the management of the heathland to the development of the village and its landscape. There is also a charging station for electric bicycles at Huenderhoeve.

Hikes by distance

Doldersummerveld has a waymarked post route as well as an unmarked 7-kilometre hiking route. Another option is the 8-kilometre Doldersum–Doldersummerveld hiking trail, which starts at Grenzeloos Doldersum. For a longer walk, there is the 13-kilometre Doldersum–Doldersummerveld hiking trail, which leads to a 13-metre-high observation tower offering panoramic views over the heathland.

The village walks also differ in length and destination. The Ommetje Doldersum circular walk is 3.7 kilometres long and runs through Doldersum. The “Het verhaal van het monument Doldersum” walking route covers 7.4 kilometres and starts and ends at the Brink. The stated starting and finishing points make it particularly easy to distinguish this route from the shorter village walk.

The 6.5-kilometre Rondje Urnenveld passes through Koelingsveld and Brouwersveld. A longer hiking option is the 20.1-kilometre Doldersum–Frederiksoord–Urnenveld trail, which starts at Grenzeloos Doldersum. There is also a 30-kilometre cycling route through Drents-Friese Wold National Park. The distances help you gauge the scale of each route; the destinations and landscapes described also offer a guide to choosing a theme.

Village history and remembrance

Doldersum was originally an agricultural settlement. The first settlement centre later took shape along two sides of a triangular Brink (village green). The “Monument executie gevluchte arbeiders” (Monument to the Execution of Fleeing Workers) in Wapserveld commemorates seven boys who were shot there by the occupying forces on 8 September 1944. The memorial is one of the tangible landmarks in the village’s history.

Other memorial sites are connected to former routes and hiding places. The Karrenspoor in Doldersummerveld was restored in 2021 and is a visible remnant of old trade routes. The Doldersum–Doldersummerveld hiking trail passes two of the four hiding places concealed in the area during the Second World War; yellow posts mark these two sites. Near Koelingsveld and Bouwersveld are two burial mounds known locally as “de Majoor” and “de Generaal” (“the Major” and “the General”). Their dating to the Bronze Age, approximately between 1000 and 500 BC, is considered uncertain.

Visiting and a local speciality

According to information published on 20 June 2024, Huenderhoeve is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm every year from April through October, and admission is free. Check the seasonal opening hours before you travel. This will help you fit a visit to the information centre into your plans for your stay.

A local speciality is “De werkende wees”, a blond top-fermented beer developed by Grenzeloos in collaboration with Maallust brewery. You can try the beer at Restaurant Grenzeloos in Doldersum. Check before your visit to see if it is available.

Discover more destinations: Havelte, Zorgvlied, Nijensleek, Wapse, Diever, Wilhelminaoord, Vledderveen, Vledder

For the regional travel overview: Westerveld.