Near Bakkeveen, the Bakkefeansterdúnen, with their sandy terrain and walking trails, are accessible year-round. Surrounded by woodland and heathland, the dune area is home to 14 species of cup lichen, including the rare Grondster.
Walking between dunes and trail markers
The Pronkrondje near De Slotplaats is marked in yellow and follows paths with firm sand. This surface makes the route suitable for wheelchair users, people using walking frames and those with pushchairs. The Groot rondje Bakkeveense Duinen walking route is 8.5 kilometres long and can be followed using green trail markers or the walking node network. Check the route before setting off.
The Bakkeveen–Allardsoog walk along the Turfroute starts at the car park at the junction of Nije Drintsewei, Jarig van der Wielenwei and Bakkeveense weg in Bakkeveen. From there, the route follows the walking node network through rolling dunes and along sandy paths. The Slotplaats Bakkeveen walk starts at the Natuurmonumenten information centre. The tenth stage of the long-distance Stellingenpad trail starts at walking node 82 in Donkerbroek and runs via Bakkeveen to Haulerwijk.
Estate, monuments and local history
The De Slotplaats estate near Bakkeveen was established in 1668. The Aylva family built Blauwhuis Castle at that time; it was demolished in 1838, while the associated castle farm was preserved. The Sterrenschans, a star-shaped, hexagonal earthwork, is also located at De Slotplaats. It was probably built to teach the young nobleman mathematics and fortification.
The former Allardsoog inn in Bakkeveen dates from 1785 and was rebuilt in 1890. The former Reformed church in Bakkeveen was built in the neoclassical style in 1856 and is now used as a residence. The Bakkeveen resistance monument commemorates ten resistance fighters from Groningen who were shot by the occupying forces at Nije Drintsewei on 10 April 1945.
The burial mounds in Mandefjild date from the late Stone Age and are around 3,500 to 4,000 years old. Mandefjild has Natura 2000 status because of its special natural values. The Belvedere in Bakkeveen is a 23-metre-high lookout point. Thus, the sites mentioned span the period from prehistoric burial mounds to the commemoration of events in 1945.
Route starting points and art along the way
The TOP Bakkeveen is a starting point for walks and cycling trips in and around Bakkeveen, and is close to the cycling and/or walking node network. The IJsbaankunstroute also starts at the TOP. The Bakkeveen stop on this route features a work of art by Baukje Venema with Bakkeveen’s natural ice rink.
The walking and cycling routes of Bakkeveen Actief start and finish at the TIP kiosk by the swimming pool at Mjûmster Wei 16. You can also join or leave a route along the way. When planning, check the starting point for the specific tour: the routes do not all start from the same place.
Discover more destinations: Gorredijk, Wijnjewoude, Jonkerslan, Tijnje, Lippenhuizen, Frieschepalen, Hemrik, Olterterp
Return to the main travel overview: Opsterland.
