Nieuwediep brings together a clearly traceable history of canals and railways with the Rondje Daaip & Dörp route. Nearby, the steam train stopped at Bareveld halt on 2 August 2026 only on request; check the stopping conditions for future travel dates. For a stay, there are two distinct points of interest: historic traces in the village and opportunities to get active in the surrounding area. The canal, provincial boundary and railway line give the local connections a concrete context; the route, walking paths and individual places add practical points of reference for planning.
Canal, settlement and border history
The Nieuwe Diep Canal was built around 1800 to reclaim the peatlands of Anner- and Eextervenen. From the 19th century onward, Nieuwediep developed along this canal. Nieuwediep is a five-kilometre-long peat settlement that runs parallel to the provincial boundary between Drenthe and Groningen. This makes it possible to consider its origins and spatial form together: the canal is linked to the beginning of its development, while the provincial boundary provides another point of reference for the location of the elongated settlement.
Around 1900, a railway line was laid along the Semslinie, immediately behind the houses of Nieuwediep. The Semslinie was the historic boundary between the provinces of Groningen and Drenthe; the line running through Nieuwediep follows this boundary. The railway here can therefore be understood not only as a transport route, but also as a trace of the historic boundary.
Railway heritage, industry and landscape
A local report from 2024 states that the railway line running through Nieuwediep is used by the Stichting Stadskanaal Rail for steam trains. The Museumspoorlijn STAR was founded in 1992 to preserve the railway as an industrial monument of the Veenkoloniën. The village’s railway history therefore includes both the use of steam trains and a clearly stated preservation aim.
The De Twee Provinciën brickworks and lime kiln are also part of Nieuwediep’s industrial past: they were established in the village in 1900 and operated until 1972. The Groot Gat nature area is also nearby; it was created by sand extraction for the railway.
Route and other places to enjoy during your stay
The 15.5-kilometre Rondje Daaip & Dörp route starts and ends at Huize Bareveld in Nieuwediep. Its length and start and end points make it a clear reference for planning. There are also walking paths and currently available walking junctions in the Nieuwediep area. This is a different planning option from the named route; if you plan to use the junctions, check their availability before setting out.
Huize Bareveld offers the opportunity to go bowling on several lanes. Huize Bareveld is therefore associated with two specific local details: the route starts and ends there, and bowling is available there. There is a public playground at the village hall in Nieuwediep.
If having a route with a stated distance is important to you when planning your stay, the 15.5-kilometre route is a concrete option. Those who prefer to take walking paths and junctions in the surrounding area into account can consider these as a separate planning option. Nieuwediep’s canal, border and railway history offers a different perspective from its outdoor activities.
Discover more destinations: Rolde, Vredenheim, Eext, Annen, Papenvoort, Gieterveen, Anderen, Gasselternijveen.
View the broader travel overview: Aa En Hunze.
