Get to know Anderen through its village history and various route themes: the Knapzakroute has a named starting point, the Pieterpad section runs from Rolde to Schoonloo, and a 23-kilometre cycling route reaches Anderen through a varied landscape. If you are planning a stay, you can weigh up the village’s history, walks and views across the river landscape.
Village history and notable places
Anderen is an esdorp that developed in the early Middle Ages at a junction where three roads met. Historic roads led towards Gasteren, Anloo, Eext, Gieten and Rolde. This connection to several places is part of the village’s origins and gives its historic character a specific geographical setting.
The farm with sheepfold at Hagenend 2 stands in the esdorp, at the corner of Hagenend and the central village green, ’t Loeg. The Boerderij met schaapskooi Anderen has the oldest known timber frame in northwestern Europe. This makes the building a particularly notable landmark in the area’s architectural history.
Walking and cycling routes
The Knapzakroute Anderen starts at the Hagenbrink car park on Anlooërweg. One restriction is important when planning a walk with a dog: dogs are prohibited on the Eexterveld section. A detour along a paved road is provided for dog walkers. The ban applies to this named section; the designated detour is the alternative.
The Rolde–Schoonloo section of the Pieterpad is another walking option. The official Pieterpad website provides GPX files for this stage, showing the current route and the latest route changes. Before setting out, check the information there about changes and detours. This lets you plan the stage based on the specific route rather than relying solely on older knowledge of it.
A 23-kilometre cycling route reaches Anderen through a varied landscape and offers lovely views across the river landscape. Its length and the views described give this route a different focus from the walking trails: here, the cycling route and the landscape views take centre stage.
Water and landscape
The Andersche Diep flows through the Koelanden and supplies the area with water. In the Anderensche Diep nature reserve, cattle can display their natural herd behaviour. These two aspects describe the landscape in terms of its watercourse, area and animal behaviour, without reducing it to a single view or route.
Traces from different eras
An approximately 70,000-year-old hand axe was found north of Anderen at Scheebroekerloop. It is considered the first evidence that Neanderthals once lived in this area. This archaeological connection dates back to long before the esdorp developed in the early Middle Ages, offering a different perspective on the history of the surrounding area.
A later chapter in the area’s history is the cooperative, hand-powered butter factory De Eenheid. It was founded in 1898 on Nijend and closed ten years later. Its short lifespan makes it a clearly defined historical example of local butter production, alongside the much older history of settlement and landscape.
Discover more destinations: Gieterveen, Nieuwediep, Anloo, Balloo, Rolde, Schoonloo, Papenvoort, Nijlande.
For the overview of the wider area: Aa En Hunze.
