The Dalerpeel raised bog covers 209 hectares and brings the landscape’s peat history to life. Along the steep field edges, you can see how far the peat cutters once advanced. Dalerpeel is considered a monument to the history of peat extraction and peatland reclamation in Drenthe because all stages of peat extraction and development are still clearly visible here. During a stay, this offers a tangible view of the landscape alongside a topic from the village’s history. The area is equivalent to around 2.09 square kilometres.

Moorland and peat history

A second process can be seen south of Steigerwijk: the bog there has been rewetted. Sphagnum moss is growing again and can contribute to the formation of new peat. This combination makes the changes in the moorland clear: the terrain features point to earlier extraction, while rewetting represents a different ecological process.

Hiking and routes in Dalerpeel

There are two specific places to start exploring on foot. A scenic walking route has been laid out in the Kleine Staarman area, west of Dalerpeel. A walking route of almost five kilometres starts beside the Beleeftuin on Oranjestraat in Dalerpeel. Its length and starting point provide a practical reference for planning your own route.

The Coevorden–Dalerpeel cultural trail passes through the Catholic church village of Steenwijksmoer before reaching Dalerpeel. This provides a different route option from the walking trail in the Kleine Staarman area or the route starting on Oranjestraat. If you’re travelling with a dog, note the rule for the Dalen–Dalerpeel walking route: dogs are not allowed there because livestock graze in the area. Check the conditions for each route before setting out.

Local history and memorial site

Dalerpeel originally began as a peat colony after the moorland west of the former municipality of Dalen was developed. This background complements the story of peat extraction in the raised bog with the origins of the village itself.

The Dalerpeel war memorial stands on Oranjestraat, at the intersection with Dorpsstraat. It was unveiled on Thursday, 4 May 2023. Its location and exact date place the memorial within the village’s history.

Cycling and getting around

The area around Dalerpeel is considered attractive for cyclists because of the changing landscape, from enclosed to open terrain. The Dalerpeel nature area can be reached via the road between the villages of Dalerend and Dalerpeel. Check the current road conditions before setting off.

When looking for a holiday apartment for a stay in Dalerpeel, consider whether you’d prefer to focus on the walking trails mentioned here or the changing landscapes you can experience by bike. The raised bog adds another perspective to both, with visible traces of peat extraction and rewetting.

Discover more destinations: Stieltjeskanaal, Sleen, Dalerveen, Zwinderen, Gees, Oosterhesselen, Wachtum, Coevorden

Back to the main travel overview: Coevorden.