Along the Oranjekanaal and among the long, narrow field plots, discover Odoornerveen as a canal village with a history of peat extraction. The settlement and open landscape tell of different phases of land use; a walking route and cycling routes also pass through the village. Tailor your stay to the local history, the landscape or a tour on foot or by bike.
From peat bog to canal village
After peat cutters reached the peat bog around 1855, Odoornerveen developed into the canal village of the same name. The settlement grew up on both sides of the Oranjekanaal and later spread along the Borgerzijtak and the Maatschappijwijk. The landscape still reflects this development: side canals run at right angles to the Oranjekanaal, alongside long, narrow plots of land.
By around 1890, peat extraction was largely complete. The land was then put to agricultural use, and Odoornerveen developed into a farming village with a peat-colony farming landscape. If you are interested in how the present-day landscape came about, this timeline helps you see the canals and plots as part of a longer period of change—from peat bog to peat extraction and then agriculture.
Wide views and a varied ribbon of village development
The buildings in Odoornerveen’s village ribbon stand far apart, opening up wide views across the fields. Their different ages, functions and architectural styles also give the village ribbon a varied appearance: its character comes not from uniform development, but from a mix of forms and uses.
In the municipal landscape plan, Odoornerveen and its surroundings are part of the area known as “Het grootse Veen”. This is a broad, open agricultural area, with a visible plot structure dating from systematic peatland reclamation and existing natural features. The view shifts from individual buildings to the elongated village ribbon and then to the open fields. For a walk or cycle ride, this offers a different focus from the local history along the canals.
Walking route and cycling tours
The 17.5-kilometre Knapzakroute Odoornerveen K32 is a walking route that starts at Dorpshuis De Miet in Odoornerveen. Check local trail conditions before setting out. To reach the K32, one described connection is to take the Assen–Emmen bus to the Centrum stop in Schoonoord, then continue along the Oranjekanaal to route point 3. Check the timetable before departure.
The Flintenroute is a recreational cycling route that follows the numbered junction system and passes through Odoornerveen. It also runs through the UNESCO Global Geopark De Hondsrug; along the way, you will pass a burial mound and numerous erratic boulders. The Randje-Drenthe-Route 6 Klazienaveen is a 65-kilometre e-bike route. Camping ’t Haantje on the Oranjekanaal is listed as a stop in Odoornerveen. Check the latest route information before planning your trip around it.
The distances give you an initial way to compare the options: 17.5 kilometres on a walking route or 65 kilometres on an e-bike route. Which one suits your stay depends on whether you are planning a walk or a longer e-bike ride.
A winter tradition
Priksleeën has been a popular winter pastime in Odoornerveen for more than a hundred years. Participation and facilities depend on the weather. If you are interested in this tradition, consider it a seasonal option and check local conditions.
Discover more destinations: Odoorn, Borger, Drouwenermond, Drouwen, Buinen, Valthermond, Valthe, Drouwenerveen.
For the main travel overview: Borger-Odoorn.
