Two themes bring together local history and the landscape of Hollandscheveld: the development of the canal village and trails that explore village stories or lead through the forests around Schoonhoven. When planning, it is worth considering the different trail lengths and themes—from a family experience trail of more than two kilometres to a 56-kilometre cycling route.

From Raised Bog to Canal Village

Hollandscheveld came into being in the 17th century, after the Hollandsche Compagnie reclaimed the raised bog area east and south of Hoogeveen. An extensive canal system was used to transport peat and drain the land. These two functions were closely connected: the canals were part of the development of the raised bog area. The erratic boulder known as “De Kei” recalls another historical connection. It marks the fact that in 1631, Dutch settlers bought into the Compagnie van de 5000 Morgen.

Village Stories Along the “Allee” Route

The cultural and historical “Allee” walking route has two sections: 5 kilometres through the village and another 5 kilometres through the forests around the Schoonhoven recreation area. Along the route, 11 information boards each tell a story about the village’s past. The landscape and local history are thus brought together along this ten-kilometre route.

The Hervormde Kerk also connects several periods of history. The Neoclassical hall church has a façade tower dating from 1851 and was inaugurated on 26 December of that same year. J. Proper built its organ, with a main division and an upper division, in 1910. In 1965, the church was designated a Rijksmonument, or Dutch national heritage site. The building, organ and heritage designation therefore represent different chapters in its history.

The memorial “De Kaars,” erected in 1995, commemorates all the victims of the Second World War in this area. Their names appear on the pedestal, which is partly made from a propeller blade from Wilfred Still’s Lancaster bomber. Another work of art in Hollandscheveld, “Op ’t Hoekie,” is associated with Cilie de Nevelhekse.

Walking Trails and a Cycling Route

If you want to compare trails by length and type, the Hollandscheveld forest area has an unmarked 6-kilometre walking trail. Another option is the inclusive family experience trail ’t Opgaonde in the Schoonhoven recreation area: it is more than 2 kilometres long and has wheelchair-accessible paths that are also suitable for mobility walkers and pushchairs. The stated lengths vary considerably, and the routes also differ in character.

For cycling, the 56-kilometre “Rond Hoogeveen” route is offered in connection with the forest area. It is a longer alternative to the walking trails. The “Allee,” in turn, is a cultural and historical route combining a five-kilometre section through the village with another five kilometres through the forests around Schoonhoven. Comparing the routes shows the different ways to explore local history and the area’s trails, without suggesting that every route offers the same experience.

If you are especially interested in the village’s history, the information boards along the “Allee,” the Hervormde Kerk and the memorials offer specific points of interest. If you would rather choose a route by length, you can compare the experience trail’s more than two kilometres, the unmarked six-kilometre walking trail and the “Allee’s” ten kilometres. For a cycling trip, “Rond Hoogeveen,” at 56 kilometres, is the longest of the options listed here.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Stuifzand, Tiendeveen, Elim, Nieuwlande, Hoogeveen, Pesse, Fluitenberg, Nieuweroord.

For the main travel overview: Hoogeveen.