The silence of the Bargerveen

In and around New Amsterdam you cycle through the former Drenthe peat area. You drive through a varied landscape of vast meadows, heaths and small forests. You will also pass through some former mining villages, such as Klazienaveen and Erica.

The Bargerveen
Would you also like to see how more than half of the Netherlands was added three thousand years ago? Then take a good look around you in the Bargerveen, a unique remnant of what was once a gigantic swamp area. You don't know what you are experiencing here: the silence in this nature reserve is deafening. A relief. Here and there you can still see old Saxon farms in the landscape. In Erica you pass De Heidebloem, a flour mill from 1897.

Extended Hoogeveense Vaart
The Verlengde Hoogeveense Vaart has played an important role in the development of this region. In New Amsterdam, Klazienaveen and Zwartemeer you will drive for some time along this historic canal, dug in the mid-nineteenth century. There are still old houses here and there, such as La Paix, a monumental country house from 1874 in New Amsterdam. At the end of the route you can enjoy something to eat and drink at Eetcafé Foodmaster De Viersprong.

Leaning Tower
Of course everyone knows the Tower of Pisa. What few know, however, is that the Netherlands also has a leaning tower: in Nieuw-Schoonebeek. A little less impressive and old perhaps, but still a nice sight. This tower was once part of the Boniface Church. This church was built in 1855, but was demolished and replaced in 1967. The old church tower remained standing. Alone and crooked. Would you like to discover more of Drenthe and make a stop at Eetcafé Foodmaster De Viersprong? Then also drive route 346969.