Veenhuizen, Appelscha and Oosterwolde

Discover Friesland in all its charm. Small villages are central during this route, which also heads through the beautiful Bankenbos and the Kolonieveld. The first village you cycle through is Veenhuizen. This hamlet is located on the edge of the nature of the Bankenbos and the Kolonieveld, so when you leave civilization behind you, you cross the beautiful heathland, which is adorned by some beautiful fens. Climb the lookout tower for great views and beautiful pictures. If you look in a southerly direction, you may see Appelscha.

This village is your next destination. Appelscha is first mentioned in 1247 and for centuries it consisted of no more than a few farms and neighbourhoods. The village was sandwiched between the dry, sandy heath and wet peat, from which peat was later cut. Because it is located on the edge of the Drents-Friese Wold National Park, tourism also received a boost.

Finally, you cycle to Oosterwolde, which was created from a few village greens. In the center, the Dorpskerk from 1735 stands out and the church has a beautiful bell chair. In the nineteenth century, many workers settled in Oosterwolde, who came to the region for peat extraction. The Turfroute still refers to these activities. This now touristic sailing route follows a network of waterways that were built to drain the peat from the surrounding peat. The Opsterlandste Compagnonsvaart, which is an important part of the Turfroute, cuts through Oosterwolde and was almost filled in. In the 1970s, the waters were given a recreational function. This saved the Opsterlandste Compagnonsvaart.