Zandhuizen: Landscape and Village History

Zandhuizen is an esch village: elevated land suitable for arable farming is surrounded on several sides by lower-lying pasture and hay meadows. The character of the landscape, the history of its buildings, and the walking and cycling routes described here offer different starting points for planning your trip.

Landscape and Nature Around Zandhuizen

The terrain shapes the layout of the area: arable fields lie higher, while pasture and hay meadows lie lower and surround the village on several sides. In spring, the locally rare Anemone nemorosa, or wood anemone, blooms in profusion in many places along paths and ditch banks within the village area. Flowering times can vary from year to year.

For nature experiences throughout the year, consider Zandhuizerveld, the Staatsbosbeheer nature areas, and the Meenthebossen. Bekhofplas is listed as a sub-area of the Súdeast-Fryslân natural area managed by Staatsbosbeheer. More generally, most nature areas in Súdeast-Fryslân are accessible year-round from sunrise to sunset along roads and paths. The access rules for each area are posted at its entrances.

Farmhouse and Settlement History

At Zandhuizerweg 39 stands a farmhouse designated as a municipal monument, which is still used as a farmhouse with a residence. It was built in 1918 and is an example of the renewal style used in Weststellingwerf between 1915 and 1920. Its defining features include the lavish use of materials and the design of the building volumes and façade composition.

The Rode Dorp illustrates a different aspect of building history. Construction began there in 1920 on a spacious arable field, with 22 similar, relatively large houses for the time, each with a shed. The striking red color of the bricks and roof tiles used for the settlement gave the Rode Dorp its name. The farmhouse built in 1918 and the settlement begun in 1920 were built around the same time, but represent different scales of construction.

Walking and Cycling Routes

Zandhuizen lies on the continuous provincial road between Steenwijk, Noordwolde, and Oldeberkoop. Several described routes also pass through the village. Completed work in the Beekdal Linde area around Madenweg in Zandhuizen included restoring the Linde’s natural course and building a new cycle path.

The Miente en Bekhofschans circular walk is just over 18 kilometers long. It leads from Oldeberkoop through Stuttebosch via Zandhuizen and Oosterstreek to Noordwolde. The route crosses a landscape in Southeast Friesland shaped by peat extraction, stream valleys, and sandy ridges; the Tjonger and Linde are prominent rivers in the area.

Route information dated May 16, 2022, describes the 24.6-kilometer Noordwolde walking route: it goes via Oldeberkoop, Meenthe, Spokeplas, Zandhuizen, and Bekhofplas before returning to Oldeberkoop. The two walking options therefore differ in length, at just over 18 kilometers and 24.6 kilometers.

For cycling, the 58-kilometer Friese-Waterlinie-II route is another option. It follows the defensive works of the Friese Waterlinie in Southeast Friesland. The described direction runs from Oldeholtpade to Zandhuizen, then via junction 28 to the historic Bekhofschans. At 58 kilometers, it is considerably longer than either of the two walking routes. As route details can change, check the current route and directions before setting out.

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

For the broader travel overview: Weststellingwerf.