Elp is an esch village that originated in the Middle Ages. Depending on the route, its hiking trails pass through ancient arable fields, heathland and forests, or follow the valley of the Elperstroom. Together with the village’s history, these features provide a clear framework for shaping a stay around culture and nature. If you are looking for accommodation in Elp, the differences between the routes and historical themes can help you choose what to focus on during your days there.
Village History and Historic Buildings
The De Zandhof country house was built in 1907 on behalf of the painter and author Louis A. Roessingh. Several farmhouses dating from the 18th century stand on Hogebrinksweg. The farmhouse at Hogebrinksweg 1 has a rear extension, an underschoer (a traditional covered space beside a farmhouse) and an attached wooden outbuilding; its roof is connected to that of the main building. The house at Hogebrinksweg 3 also has a rear extension, as well as a roof section thatched with heath and a detached outbuilding. These details illustrate different architectural forms within the village’s history, but do not imply that the individual farmyards are open to visitors.
Another layer of history reaches back to prehistoric times: in the 1960s, a Late Bronze Age settlement was discovered near Elp, close to a prehistoric burial mound. This find places the history of the surrounding area far earlier than the medieval origins of the village. Those interested in historic sites will find in Elp both evidence of the village’s development and an archaeological link to the more distant past.
Hiking Trails on Different Scales
The Wolvenspoor hiking trail passes through dark forests and heathland, over wooden bridges across marsh waters, and through the Elperstroom valley. The route takes about two hours on foot. “Rondom Elp” offers 6.5- and 9.5-kilometre options. The route passes through ancient arable fields and follows the Elperstroom valley, which is part of a Natura 2000 area. It starts on Zwiggelterweg, at the height of Spankampen.
The Knapzakroute K5 in Elp is another option for a longer hike: it is 15 kilometres long and passes through ancient arable fields, new nature areas and forests with marsh waters. The routes differ not only in scenery, but also in the information useful for planning. For the Wolvenspoor, the approximate walking time is given; for “Rondom Elp” and K5, the distances are provided. Check local trail conditions before setting out.
Elperstroom, Heathland and the Regional Natural Landscape
The Elperstroom nature area lies east of Elp in a characteristic esch-village landscape. Elperstroom was designated a Natura 2000 area in 2013; the designated area covers a total of 351 hectares. Relatively calcium-rich seepage water has created calcareous fens and bluegrass meadows there. Plants found in the area include flea sedge, blonde sedge and flesh-coloured orchid. These specific habitats add to the impressions of forest and heathland encountered on the hiking trails.
The Elper Westerveld heathland lies between the esch village of Elp and the small stream valley of Westerbroeken. A broader regional perspective is offered by the Hart van Drenthe nature area: it lies around the Drenthe villages of Hooghalen, Grolloo, Elp and Schoonloo, and comprises 5,000 hectares of connected natural areas. These include forests, marsh waters, extensive heathland and the headwaters of stream valleys. This means that the area around Elp offers both individual named landscapes and a larger natural area to explore.
When planning your stay, you can choose village history and hiking as two distinct focuses. The history of the farmhouses and country house, together with the Late Bronze Age find, offers points of interest for culture enthusiasts; the routes let you choose between an approximate walking time of two hours and distances of 6.5, 9.5 or 15 kilometres. This makes it easier to fit your preferred hiking distance into your daily plans, while the historical themes offer another way to discover Elp.
Discover more destinations: Spier, Smilde, Hijken, Westerbork, Drijber, Zwiggelte, Ruinerwold, Witteveen.
For the main travel overview: Midden-Drenthe.
