Time-Travel on Two Wheels: Riding the 10-Village Veenkoloniën Route

Looking for a full-day ride that blends quiet waterways, peat-colony heritage, and powerful WWII stories? The 67 km 10-Village Veenkoloniën Route from Hoogeveen delivers that rare mix. On this well-marked loop, you’ll roll through Fluitenberg, Pesse, Stuifzand, Tiendeveen, Nieuweroord, Noordscheschut, Hollandscheveld, Nieuwlande, Elim, and Nieuw Moscou—encountering evocative monuments, a sandy swimming lake, and traces of Drenthe’s veen (peat) past.

What is the 10-Village Veenkoloniën Route?

The 10-Village Veenkoloniën Route is a recreational cycling route in Drenthe that connects ten villages around Hoogeveen via historic canals, forest edges, and open peatland landscapes.

• Distance: 67 km
• Type: Recreational, waymarked loop
• Start/Finish (suggested): Crerarstraat, 7901 AA Hoogeveen
• Parking: Free parking at Station Hoogeveen (Stationsplein 1, 7901 AA Hoogeveen)
• Waymarking: White hexagonal signs with green print
• Food stops: Plenty of cafés and restaurants in Hoogeveen and Hollandscheveld
• Join anywhere: You can pick up the marked route at multiple points

Tip for quick planning: Hoogeveen station is about a minute by bike from the route’s start.

Route Overview and How to Navigate

You don’t need turn-by-turn navigation to enjoy this ride. Simply follow the white, hexagonal waymarkers with green print. The loop is easy to join from any village en route, which makes it flexible for different start times and meeting points.

A popular flow is clockwise from Hoogeveen, working through the northern villages to the canals of Noordscheschut, pausing in Hollandscheveld, then continuing toward Nieuwlande and the recreation area at Schoonhoven before swinging through Elim and back to Nieuw Moscou and Hoogeveen.

Highlights You’ll Meet Along the Way

Hoogeveen to Pesse: Wetlands and a Modest Stream with Character

• Boerenveensche Plassen (near Pesse): A 147-hectare moist heath landscape north of Hoogeveen, dotted with bog pools and former peat cuttings—a serene, nature-first interlude.
• Het Oude Diep (Stuifzand): A small meandering stream corridor that adds texture and shade to your ride.

Noordscheschut: Life Along the Canal

• Verlengde Hoogeveensche Vaart: The village is threaded by this canal, reflecting the peat-colony origins of the region.
• Origin story: Noordscheschut takes its name from a lock built in 1766. The village grew in the 19th century through the peat enterprises of Jan Coenraad Rahder.
• Huize Blokland (Zwarte Dijkje 49, 7914 PB Noordscheschut): A 19th-century lockside house later occupied by Rahder’s family—an architectural cue to the village’s peat-era prosperity.
• Story pole at the lock: Stop to hear the local tale; it stands directly to the right of the lock.

Hollandscheveld: Peat Pioneers, Politics, and a Monumental Church

• Name and origins: Hollandscheveld owes its name to the wealthy Hollanders who began peat reclamation here in the 17th century.
• 1963 farmers’ uprising: The village gained national prominence in the 1960s, associated with Hendrik Koekoek, leader of the Boerenpartij.
• Hervormde kerk Hollandscheveld (Hendrik Raakweg 19, 7913 AM): A neoclassical aisle church with a tower from 1851, designated a national monument in 1965. It faces a story pole at the ’t Hoekje–Zuideropgaande crossing.
• Refuel here: Hollandscheveld has multiple eateries and makes a natural mid-ride pause.

Between Hollandscheveld and Nieuwlande: Take a Swim at Schoonhoven

• Recreatiegebied Schoonhoven: A recreation lake between Elim and Hollandscheveld with a sandy beach, a lounging lawn, and space for sport and play. Early-19th-century tree plantings here rank among Drenthe’s oldest forests—perfect for a shady cooldown stop.

Nieuwlande: Courage Remembered in Forest and Stone

• Peat-colony crossroads: Nieuwlande emerged in the late 19th century at a nexus of canals.
• Wartime legacy: During WWII, the village sheltered many people in hiding. Johannes Post was a driving force in the resistance here.
• A rare honor: Nieuwlande is one of only two villages in Europe to receive a collective Yad Vashem distinction from Israel in gratitude for its help to those in hiding.
• Where to see it: The Yad Vashem monument—a brick wall with a central arch—stands on Brugstraat, next to the local resistance monument.
• Underduikersmuseum ‘De Duikelaar’ (Julianalaan 3, 7918 AH Nieuwlande): Exhibits include the private collection of Jo Schonewille, bringing personal stories to life.
• Onderduikershol (Johannes Poststraat): In the forest opposite the former farm of Johannes Post at number 17, you’ll find the hideout site—a quiet, sobering place to reflect.

Elim and Nieuw Moscou: Art and Atmosphere

• Beeld “Pullevaarder” (Brink, Elim): A striking sculpture that nods to local history and trade.
• Nieuw Moscou: Country lanes and open skies carry you toward your loop’s closing stretch.

Key Stops and Useful Addresses

Practical Tips for Riding the 10-Village Veenkoloniën Route

1. Plan for 67 km. Pace your day to allow time for museum visits, monuments, and a swim pause at Schoonhoven.
2. Follow the waymarks. Look for white hexagonal signs with green print; you can also join the loop from any village.
3. Time your cultural stops. If you want to visit the Underduikersmuseum ‘De Duikelaar’, check opening hours in advance.
4. Pack for mixed terrain. Expect a blend of village roads, waterside stretches, and forest edges that suit a standard touring or hybrid bike.
5. Refuel smart. You’ll find ample food-and-drink options in Hoogeveen and Hollandscheveld.
6. Carry layers and water. Weather shifts quickly in open peatland landscapes; bring a wind layer and hydration.
7. Ride respectfully. Slow near locks, bridges, and village centers, and share space with walkers and anglers along canals.
8. Add a history lens. Pause at Brugstraat in Nieuwlande to reflect at the Yad Vashem and resistance monuments.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How long is the 10-Village Veenkoloniën Route?
  It’s approximately 67 km.

• Is the route signposted?
  Yes. Follow white hexagonal signs with green print.

• Where should I start?
  A convenient start/finish is Crerarstraat, 7901 AA Hoogeveen. Free parking is available at Station Hoogeveen (Stationsplein 1, 7901 AA Hoogeveen).

• Can I join the route anywhere?
  Yes. You can pick up the waymarked loop from multiple points along the route.

• Are there swimming spots?
  Yes. Recreatiegebied Schoonhoven between Elim and Hollandscheveld has a sandy beach and lounging lawn.

Beyond This Route: More Drenthe Rides to Add

If you enjoy heritage-rich cycling, consider these Drenthe options next:

• Flintenroute: A varied ride through the Hondsrug and Hunzevallei, linking esdorp villages and open peat landscapes.
• Dwingelderveldroute: Explore the vast heath and marsh mosaics of Dwingelderveld National Park.
• MTB Assen (Baggelhuizen): A nearly 9 km loop with fast passages, technical sections, and short climbs/descents—ideal for a skills session.
• MTB Drentsche Aa (Anloo): A scenic mountain bike circuit through river-valley nature.

Conclusion: Ride Through Time, Then Unwind in Drenthe

The 10-Village Veenkoloniën Route is more than a long, satisfying bike ride—it’s a moving journey through Drenthe’s peat-colony roots and WWII courage, framed by forests, streams, and quiet canals. Plan generous stops, swim at Schoonhoven, and give yourself time to absorb the stories in Nieuwlande and Hollandscheveld.

Looking for a comfortable base for multi-day cycling in Drenthe? Camping & Bungalowpark Adelhof (Vledderweg 19, 8381 AB Vledder) offers spacious camping pitches of about 100 m² with electric hook-up, several water points, and an internet hotspot per field. You’ll find four toilet blocks with showers, WCs, and washing facilities, plus playgrounds (and an indoor playground). Prefer a cottage? Choose from Grass Roof bungalows, Type 6A (connected), Type 6A Comfort (connected), or Type 6B (detached). Centrally positioned between the Drents Friese Wold, the Dwingelderveld, and the Weerribben, it’s a perfect environment for pleasant walks or cycling tours.

Ready to ride? Book your stay, pack your layers, and set out to time-travel on two wheels.