The Dorpsommetje Beilen starts at the Stefanuskerk. This short circular walk through the village leads straight to something that characterises Beilen: the connection between local history and walks. South of Beilen, Terhorsterzand offers a different landscape, with woodland, heathland and bog areas.
Church, mill and local history
The Stefanuskerk is a monumental Gothic church dating from the 14th and 15th centuries and is one of the six Dingspil churches in Drenthe. Its history is also closely connected with Beilen: it was the only building to survive the great fire of 1820. For a stay focused on architecture and local history, it is a practical starting point.
Another historic destination is the Oudheidkamer Beilen. Since 1980, it has had its own exhibition space in a building on Kampstraat. The Molen van Makkum, meanwhile, is a grain mill built in 1906 to replace a post mill that had been blown over. Here you can encounter different architectural and historical periods, from medieval church construction to the history of mills in the early 20th century.
The Fontein is a work of art with a distinctive interpretation: it symbolises how water from the neighbouring Beilervaart is channelled inwards. The motif brings art and water together in a way that differs from the historic buildings.
Walking routes and nature near Beilen
The Dorpsommetje Beilen is a short, 3.5-kilometre circular walk through Beilen. It starts at the Stefanuskerk. From Beilen station, you can reach the starting point on foot in ten minutes; the actual walking time may vary depending on the route you choose. This makes it possible to combine the village walk with arriving by train, without turning it into a longer hike.
The Rondje Schapendrift is another option for a walk. It is considered accessible for people with reduced mobility and follows the nature trail and the Schapendrift. The fruit trees bloom from around mid-April, followed by various wildflowers along the nature trail from approximately mid-May. If you would like to see the flowers in bloom, you can plan your visit around these approximate periods.
For longer hikes, consider Terhorsterzand south of Beilen. The nature area includes 60 hectares of woodland and 120 hectares of heathland and bog areas. Several sandy paths and the boundary with the Dwingelderveld nature area make longer walks possible. This offers a contrast between the short circular walk through Beilen and a landscape suited to longer outings.
Terhorsterzand also has a shallow bathing pond with a sandy beach; the water is no more than one metre deep. In the Beleefpark, you will find a disc golf course, several fruit trees, play features for children, as well as picnic tables and benches. As the park’s facilities may change, it is worth checking for the latest information if a particular feature is important to your visit.
Events and culinary experiences
The Boerderijen Fietspuzzeltocht is an annual cycling route of approximately 38 kilometres, held on the second day of Pentecost. Dates and packages vary from year to year. If you would like to combine your trip with this tour, check the dates for the relevant year.
Bourgondisch Beilen is an annual festival. Local and regional hospitality businesses serve culinary creations to the public as part of a competition. Admission is free; participating businesses and event details may vary. If the festival is the reason for your trip, it is also worth checking the dates and programme for that year.
These different options can help you plan your trip around your interests.
More destinations
Discover more destinations: Hijken, Witteveen, Hooghalen, Balinge, Zwiggelte, Wijster, Ruinerwold, Hoogersmilde.
For the wider travel guide: Midden-Drenthe.
