Wanneperveen: A Water Village Between Nature and History

Wanneperveen is a long, narrow village that developed during peat extraction. Farms and smaller houses form a ribbon-like settlement. At the same time, the village is one of the Netherlands’ water villages and lies beside large lakes. In Weerribben-Wieden National Park, water and land alternate, with lakes, ditches, extensive reed beds, flower-rich hay meadows and densely vegetated peat forests. The local character thus brings together landscape, water sports and the history of older buildings. If you are looking for a hotel for a stay in Wanneperveen, you can first consider which of these aspects you would like to shape your stay.

Water and leisure activities

From Wanneperveen, you can go boating on the Belterwijde and Beulakerwijde. Canoeing, punter boating, surfing and sailing are also possible in the waters around the village. The lakes are suitable for swimming, fishing, ice skating, water skiing and wakeboarding. The options range from boat trips on two named lakes to other water sports and leisure activities in the waters around Wanneperveen. When planning, it helps to focus on the activity you want to do rather than treating all the options as a single offering.

Hiking trails and nature watching

There are two starting points in Wanneperveen, with six circular walks. The routes are between 2.1 and 8.2 kilometres long; this range gives you a specific reference point when choosing between shorter and longer loops. The Veenweidepad is a hiking route in Weerribben-Wieden National Park. It passes meadows and ponds where special bird species can be found. Rare plants such as Parnassia and marsh gentian also grow in this natural area.

There are two viewpoints and birdwatching screens along the Kiersche Wijdepad, where you can observe various bird species. Another cultural trace in the landscape is the Kiersche Wijdekooi on the same path: it was once used to catch ducks, but is no longer used as a duck trap. The trails therefore bring nature watching and the former use of the landscape together, while these remain distinct experiences.

Practical information

The Veenweidepad starts at the Kiersche Wijde car park on Lozedijk, between Wanneperveen and Doosje. The Wiedenroute uses the car park at Lozedijk 20 in Wanneperveen. As access conditions may change, check them before your trip. A nature toilet opened on 30 April 2025 in the car park for the Veenweidepad and Kiersche Wijdepad on Lozedijk near Wanneperveen. Check whether it is available before your visit.

The municipal shared e-bike network in Steenwijkerland includes a location in Wanneperveen. Hub arrangements may change, so check the current information in advance. When planning your trip, you can consider walks and trails alongside which modes of transport might suit your plans.

Building history along Veneweg

The buildings also give the village its own character. The Protestant church at Veneweg 188 was built in 1502. At Veneweg 56 stands one of the oldest surviving cattle farms on Veneweg. The present-day building dates from 1762 and also features details from the 17th century, including a carved lion’s head on the barn section. Inside is a box bed with Louis XV panelling and red, white and blue marble imitation.

The Schultehuis on Veneweg is a Renaissance building with a distinctive stepped gable. Rare 17th-century wall paintings are found on the beams of the upper chamber. Together, the church, cattle farm and Schultehuis show different aspects of local building history: an early construction date, older details on a later building and a Renaissance structure with preserved paintings. These features add to the picture of Wanneperveen as a water village without detracting from the lakes, trails and nature.

Wanneperveen can therefore be explored through several themes: water activities, circular walks, birdwatching and building history.

Discover more destinations: Giethoorn, Steenwijkerwold, De Bult, Paasloo, Belt-Schutsloot, Sint Jansklooster, Blokzijl, Kallenkote

For the main travel overview: Steenwijkerland.