Hijkerveld is one of Drenthe’s largest heathlands and is located near Hijken. This gives the choice of location a clear connection to the landscape. At the same time, the picture extends beyond the heath: a walking route crosses and loops around Hijkerveld, and Hijken itself has a settlement history dating back to the early Middle Ages. When planning your trip, you can therefore choose to focus on nature, outdoor activities, or village history.

Heathland and landscape

The Hijkerveld–Diependal area is home to Schoonebeker sheep and Scottish Highland cattle. This adds the area’s wildlife to the landscape theme. Zuid-Hijkerzand is a protected natural area.

Diependal also tells a story of landscape change: the former slurry field system of the Oranje potato starch factory was converted into the Diependal bird reserve. The nature theme therefore extends beyond wildlife to include the area’s former industrial use. If you would like to understand natural areas in the context of how they came about, this offers a specific point of reference.

According to tradition, farmers from Hijken have always used Vorrelveen as hay and pastureland.

Walking and cycling

On foot, you can compare two routes based on different points of interest. The Knapzakroute Hijken crosses and loops around Hijkerveld and follows centuries-old wagon tracks. The “Hijken: Hijkerveld” walking route is 7 km long. The Knapzakroute offers a cultural and historical point of interest, while the 7 km walk can be assessed by distance. This lets you weigh up whether the wagon tracks or a defined route length matters more to you.

By bike, you can ride the 45 km “Rond het Hijkerveld” route. Compared with the 7 km “Hijken: Hijkerveld” walking route, it offers a different distance and a different way to get around. The figures help you weigh up how far you want to travel. Check the route conditions for the cycling route and the Knapzakroute before setting off.

The birdwatching hide in Diependal

You can reach the birdwatching hide via a 162 m tunnel and a spiral staircase. Access is limited for wheelchair users. Take this structural limitation into account when planning your visit, especially if you need wheelchair access.

Local history and village features

Hijken is an Esdorp, a type of village founded in the early Middle Ages as a daughter settlement of Beilen. This founding gives the village’s history a timeframe and a named connection to Beilen. Hijken also has two large triangular village greens.

The text of Psalm 124:8 is displayed on the façade of De Antenne. In 2015, a bell tower was built on the Brink for De Antenne. Along with the village greens, these features offer a distinctive way to explore local history, from the early medieval founding to a specific year of construction.

Discover more destinations

Mantinge, Beilen, Hoogersmilde, Spier, Orvelte, Witteveen, Drijber, Hooghalen

For the regional travel overview: Midden-Drenthe.