Blesdijke, Oldemarkt and Munnekeburen

The Grote Veenpolder in Friesland is probably the best kept secret of this province. This vast area is hardly known to the general public. The first huts were built in this area as early as 1100. This is how small settlements arose, which grew into villages. Scherpenzeel was the central village of the Grote Veenpolder, which was built in the eighteenth century to protect the lands and farms against flooding. The construction of the polder was not without a struggle, because the farmers all had to give up land, which of course they did not want. Discover the most beautiful peat polder in the Netherlands while cycling, with many ditches, canals, peat holes, rivers, swamps and pumping stations that line old dikes and locks.

You cross the Rottige Meente, a nature reserve that lies on the border of Overijssel and Friesland. The area, full of small grasslands, quaking peat bogs and peat moss reedlands, arose through peat farming: around 1900 the area was reclaimed and expanded through land consolidation. The peat holes and legakkers are subtle reminders of the time of peat extraction. The large fire butterfly and the European otter are having a great time there and the presence of the rare green-knot orchid is also special.

Beautiful windmills adorn the Rottige Meente. Two beautiful specimens are close to each other. De Rietvink, built in 1855, is a wind-driven polder mill that was used as such until 1964. The octagonal top porter was then converted into a holiday home.

De Reiger is the other windmill in the polder area. The mill was built in 1871. This octagonal top porter was also used to drain the polder, but the ground sailer was later given a residential destination.