Boijl can be explored through two interests: architectural history in the village and getting out into the landscape. The Dorpskerk and bell tower offer specific points of interest for culture; the Molenroute is a hiking option, while cycling is associated with Drents-Friese Wold National Park, Lindevallei and the Maatschappij-route. For planning, it helps to distinguish between a hiking route and areas or a route for cycling. This lets you choose the focus of your stay without turning the individual options into a fixed daily itinerary.
Landscape between the edge of the park and the Linde
Boijl lies on the edge of Drents-Friese Wold National Park. The area north of Boijl is bounded by the River Linde. This gives you different geographical reference points: the national park on the edge of the village and the Linde as the northern boundary of the area. Boijl also has several sandy tracks and peat cuttings; natural hedgerows surround the fields and plots.
The park reference describes Boijl’s location, while the sandy tracks, peat cuttings and hedgerows are specific features of the local landscape. For a stay focused on nature and landscape, this offers more than a single point of reference: the edge of the park, the river boundary and the small-scale divisions formed by paths and hedgerows complement one another. These features should be understood in different ways: the river bounds the area north of Boijl, while the hedgerows surround fields and plots.
Hiking or cycling
The Molenroute is a hiking option that runs through Boijl. For cycling, Drents-Friese Wold National Park and Lindevallei are areas associated with Boijl; the Maatschappij-route is also a cycling option connected with the village. This gives you different ways to find your bearings: one hiking route, two cycling areas and a named cycling route.
If you are choosing between hiking and cycling, this distinction is a practical first step. For hiking, the focus is on the Molenroute; for cycling, you can use the areas mentioned or the Maatschappij-route as a guide. This helps you decide what to focus your activities on without treating the different options as one combined tour.
Dorpskerk and bell tower
The Dorpskerk Boijl is listed as a Rijksmonument, a Dutch national monument. The present church building, which has no tower, was built in 1641. During a renovation, it was discovered that the original church had already been built in the 13th century. The two dates therefore refer to different building phases: 1641 to the present church building, and the 13th century to the original church.
The Boijl bell tower is also listed as a Rijksmonument. Its present form dates from 1696; the bell in the tower is 86 centimetres in diameter. Together, these offer different historical perspectives: the early history of the Dorpskerk, the construction date of its present building and the later form of the bell tower. The bell’s diameter adds a specific measurement to this architectural history.
Another historical reference extends beyond the buildings: Boijl once lay on a trade route between Drenthe and Friesland. This former route adds a regional connection from the past to the history of the monuments. Anyone interested in Boijl’s history can consider both the building phases of the church and bell tower and the village’s former role on a trade route.
Include the bus route in your planning
Boijl is on the Steenwijk–Noordwolde–Oosterwolde bus route. If you would like to take this connection into account when planning your journey, check the timetable for your travel date.
Discover more destinations: Munnekeburen, Oldeholtpade, Blesdijke, Wolvega, Oldetrijne, Zandhuizen, Scherpenzeel, Noordwolde.
For the broader travel overview: Weststellingwerf.
