The Havelterberg Route

The Havelterberg is a moraine that was created during the Ice Age from 250,000-130,000 years ago. Nowadays, the Drenthe part of the Havelterberg is partly a forest and nature reserve and partly a military training area. The area consists of drifting sand, wet and dry heathland and planted forests. That people already lived there in early years is evident from the two dolmens, the many burial mounds and the presence of a Celtic Field. During the Second World War, the Germans built an airfield here. The tracks, the walled hangars, the runway and, after the bombing by the Allies, the many bomb craters, are still recognizable in the field.

Uffelte
Uffelte is already mentioned in 1040, but not as Uffelte, but as Ophelte. Uffelte played a role in the management of the many courts of the bishop of Utrecht for a long time. The main court with the storehouses was located in Uffelte. As a result, Uffelte developed into an administrative center with a large grain storage facility. Uffelte still had obligations to Utrecht until the 19th century. The ash tree of Uffelte, located between the nature reserves Holtingerzand, Oosterzand, Westerzand and Uffelterzand, is one of the largest ash trees in Drenthe.

Havelte
Havelte's history is rather vague. Before 1342, Havelte, then called Hesselte, was located between present-day Havelte and Darp. The current Havelte was created after 1342 at the current location, probably as a division of Hesselte and Uffelte. Hesselte continued to exist, but was given the name Darp. After the Second World War, Darp shifted to its current situation. The reformed church from 1310 with the tower from 1410 is located east of the village with a Van Oekelen organ (1819), originally halfway between Hesselte and Uffelte. Havelte has beautiful 18th century farms and sheepfolds. The beautiful Huis Overcinge is located west of Havelte. It is first mentioned in 1313. The current building dates from the 17th century. To the north lies the Butterfly Paradise Papiliorama.

Ruinerwold
A charter from 1141 already mentions a marshland between Ruinen and Meppel. Around 1900, large farms emerged along the road to Meppel. Until 1924 the Dr. Larijweg was a footpath that passed in front of the farms. When it was put into use, it was determined that more than 1,300 pear trees had to be planted along the road. The flowering trees give the landscape a special look in spring. The Reformed Church of Ruinerwold is located in the hamlet of Bledenstein. The church dates from the 12th century and was enlarged in the 16th century. The tower was built in the 15th century. The interior includes a Van Oeckelen organ.

Meppel
Meppel is first mentioned in 1141 and in 1815 it was given city rights. Meppel was founded where a number of rivers and canals came together. For hundreds of years, peat from the peat areas and grain from Uffelte have been transported along these canals. Goods were delivered to Meppel from across the Zuiderzee. As a result, it quickly became a flourishing trading city. For defense, Meppel received a castle in 1509 that was already destroyed in 1580. Meppel is accessible for large inland vessels and small coasters and fulfills a transshipment function. It is also a railway junction. Meppel is therefore called The Gate of Drenthe. The cityscape of Meppel is largely determined by the many canals and the Reformed church from 1422.

Nijeveen
Nijeveen is already mentioned in 1310, but not as Nijeveen but as Hesselerveen. The peat belonging to Hesselte near Havelte. It was the monks of Ruinen who mined the peat from Havelte. Nijeveen was built along an old dike. Kolderveen was also built along the same dike. A new dike was constructed northwest of Kolderveen and Nijeveen and Kolderveense and Nijeveense Bovenboer were built. The Gothic church (1480) now stands outside the village and is still in almost original condition with an offering table from 1477. There is a modern bell tower near the cemetery.