Wijnjewoude: Turf Route, Churches and Heathland

When visiting Wijnjewoude, you can choose from a range of interests: historic waterways, church architecture and nature in the countryside. The Turf Route, churches in Duurswoude and Weinterp, and paths for walking and cycling offer concrete starting points. If you are looking for a hotel for your stay in Wijnjewoude, these topics can help you tailor your trip to your interests.

Getting here and the water route

Wijnjewoude is accessible via the N381, which runs between Oosterwolde and Drachten. The village is also on the Turf Route, an old historic waterway. It connects water, villages and nature, running from the Frisian lakes deep into the peat landscape. This gives you different points of reference: the N381 as a road connection and the Turf Route as a historic waterway.

Churches and architectural history

The Sint Janskerk in Duurswoude was built in the 15th century from monastery bricks. These may have come from a predecessor building dating from the 13th century. Notable features include the wooden tower with a weather vane shaped like a rearing horse. The church in Weinterp offers a different architectural focus: it dates from the 18th century and has a distinctive bell tower with three bells. Comparing the churches brings out different features: the possible use of older bricks and the wooden tower on the one hand, and the date and three-bell tower on the other.

Heathland and trails

Duurswouderheide is a large heathland nature reserve in southeastern Friesland. Its features include a viewing mound and pingo ruins—that is, lakes formed during the Ice Age. There are walking trails, a cycle path and a bridle path on the heath. Many walking and cycling routes also run through the surrounding countryside around Wijnjewoude. You will find a range of activities: walking, cycling and horse-riding trails in Duurswouderheide, as well as walking and cycling routes around the village.

Places in the landscape

Freulevijver is in the Oude Bos between Wijnjewoude and Bakkeveen. Kapellepôle offers a peaceful setting with views across the heath, blackberry bushes and flowering cottongrass. Until the 18th century, the Bonifatius Chapel stood on a high sand hill at Kapellepôle. Here, a distinctive landscape meets the history of a former place of worship. The two places have different features: Freulevijver’s location in the Oude Bos, and Kapellepôle’s views across the heath, blackberry bushes and flowering cottongrass.

June tournament

Hynstedei is a tournament for driving horses held in June. If you are considering making the tournament the occasion for your trip, check the specific event date in advance.

Discover more destinations: Olterterp, Frieschepalen, Jonkerslan, Gorredijk, Bakkeveen, Lippenhuizen, Hemrik, Tijnje

For the overarching travel guide: Opsterland.