Discover Oldeholtpade: Forest, Routes and History

Oldeholtpade can be explored through a variety of local features: the Wilfred Berry Memorial, the late Gothic St Stephen’s Church, and landscapes of forests, water and routes. If you are looking for a hotel for a stay in Oldeholtpade, these highlights can help structure your travel plans. They range from remembrance of the Second World War to architectural and landscape history, as well as specific cycling and walking routes.

Memorial and church: two historical points of interest

The Wilfred Berry Memorial stands in Oldeholtpade on the Hoofdweg towards Wolvega. It commemorates Canadian soldier Wilfred Berry, who fell here on 12 April 1945. The memorial column bears a depiction of a maple leaf and a photograph of Berry. The person, date and design give the memorial a specific historical connection.

St Stephen’s Church offers a different point of interest. It is a late Gothic church with a west tower. “Late Gothic” describes its art-historical classification; the west tower identifies a specific feature of its architecture. The two historical subjects are therefore distinct: the memorial commemorates Berry and an event from 1945, while the church is characterised by its architectural style and tower.

De Wandelbos and the history of the landscape

De Wandelbos, the largest forest area in Oldeholtpade, lies east of the village. Holly trees are characteristic of De Wandelbos. The forest consists of several connected coppice plots. These plots are remnants of the forest area that covered a large part of the so-called Pastoriegoederen before the land reclamation work carried out by Pastor Hofstee. De Wandelbos can therefore be understood both through its woodland features and through the history of the former forest area. The connected coppice plots offer a different perspective on the area than a simple statement of its size: they point to the surviving remnants of what was once a more extensive forest area.

The Scheene is also part of the historic landscape. It was dug in the Middle Ages, partly to mark the boundary between the villages of Oldeholtpade and Ter Idzard. The name is thus connected to a specific historical purpose and to the relationship between the two villages.

Scheltingapolder: views and restricted access

The Scheltingapolder near Oldeholtpade is a nature reserve of about 48 hectares in the Linde stream valley. The Scheltingapolder viewing hill can be reached via a walking route from It Fryske Gea; however, access to the nature reserve itself is restricted. The viewing hill and the rest of the reserve should therefore be considered separately when planning. Bear the access restrictions in mind when visiting and check the information for the specific route.

Distinguishing cycling and walking routes

The access road and cycle path form the Scheenebospad circular cycling route. Another cycling route, “Driewegsluis – cycling along the Turfroute”, is 63.4 kilometres long and passes through Oldeholtpade. The descriptions emphasise different points: the Scheenebospad is described as a circular route, while the second route’s length and course through Oldeholtpade are specified. As route details may be updated, it is worth checking the latest information before planning.

The Mildam–Oldeholtpade–Ter Idzard walking route then follows the Tsjonger, along the Bospad and beside the Scheene. Its description therefore names specific landscape features, while the cycling route “Driewegsluis – cycling along the Turfroute” is given with its total length. The different routes can thus be understood from their respective descriptions without combining them into a single route.

Discover more destinations: Munnekeburen, Noordwolde, Blesdijke, Boijl, Oldetrijne, Wolvega, Zandhuizen, Nijeholtpade

For the main travel overview: Weststellingwerf.