Nijeberkoop: Trails, Landscapes and Village History

When planning a stay in Nijeberkoop, the landscape, walks and village history offer a range of points of interest. You can compare a short walking route with a longer circuit, learn more about the cultural landscape or explore historic places and the Turfroute. Which topics take priority for you depends on what you would like to do locally.

Landscapes with ponds, woodland and heath

Diakonievene, near Nijeberkoop, is a former peat-extraction area. Its landscape includes interconnected ponds, a pingo remnant, a wooded circular ridge and small areas of heathland. The area thus brings together water, woodland and open spaces in a landscape shaped by its history of peat extraction.

Delleboersterheide is a varied landscape of open heathland and peat cuttings surrounded by woodland. Drenthe heath sheep and Exmoor ponies graze there. Catspoele offers a special opportunity to observe nature: dragonflies can be watched from the Libellenvlonder without damaging the delicate banks. A visit to these places therefore brings different aspects into focus, from the history of the landscape to observing a specific habitat.

Landgoed Boschhoeve in Nijeberkoop offers a different kind of landscape. The estate covers 160 hectares of deciduous and mixed woodland, heathland, a moor lake, agricultural grassland and arable land. Walkers are welcome there; check the current access rules before your visit. The variety of land cover gives the area a different character from the open heathland and ponds of Diakonievene.

Compare walks by distance

The walking route through Delleboersterheide and around Diakonievene is almost five kilometres long in total. A much longer option is the 100 km van Appelscha: this circular walking route starts in Nijeberkoop, passes through Donkerbroek, Haulerwijk, Ravenswoud and Oude Willem, and returns to its starting point. The distances differ considerably. When planning your walk, you can therefore first decide what length of outing you have in mind, without assuming that distance alone indicates walking time or difficulty.

The Turfroute also connects activities on the water with those on land. Nijeberkoop is an important part of the route; boating there can be combined with walking and cycling. In addition to the walking routes mentioned above, there are therefore other ways to combine getting around on land with a trip on the water.

Landgoed Boschhoeve: farm and activities

Landgoed Boschhoeve is home to a historically significant, American-style farm whose origins date back to the 18th century. Boeren in het Bos offers activities for visitors, including guided tours and courses. There is also a pick-your-own garden where fresh, untreated vegetables of the season are harvested weekly. Harvesting is seasonal, so do not assume that specific seasonal dates are available.

For cyclists, the “De boer op” route also leads to Nijeberkoop and includes the former Boschzicht future farm, now part of Landgoed Boschhoeve. Check the current route details before setting off. The route offers another perspective on the village and its connection to a former farm site.

Bell tower and village history

The Klokkenstoel Nijeberkoop stands at the former church site on the old village road and is recognised as a Rijksmonument in the Netherlands. The current bell dates from 1948. These details help place the bell tower in context both as a historic site and through a specific feature of its present-day fittings.

The name Lijkweg also recalls local history: this is the name given to the grassy path leading to the cemetery and the Klokkenstoel Nijeberkoop. Together with the former church site, the bell tower and path provide a clear connection to the history of the village. If you are particularly interested in historic places, you can include these details in your plans alongside the nature and walking topics.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Waskemeer, Oosterwolde, Fochteloo, Haule, Oldeberkoop, Elsloo, Ravenswoud, Donkerbroek.

For the main travel overview: Ooststellingwerf.