Onstwedde is one of the oldest settlement centers in Westerwolde. If you would like to combine cultural history and landscape on a trip, you will find several points of interest: historic buildings, an annual Oogstfeest, and paths through old fields and a stream valley. When planning, you can decide how much emphasis to place on architectural history, rural heritage, and outdoor activities.

Cultural history and rural heritage

The Gothic Nicolaaskerk in Onstwedde was built around 1500. The Juffertoren is just over 41 meters tall and at least a century and a half older than the church; its walls are up to two meters thick in places. In terms of age, the church offers a reference point around 1500, while the tower is considerably older.

The Slaait'nhoes farm dates from the 18th century. The Museum Restaurant Slaait'nhoes displays various old everyday objects from earlier times. This offers a glimpse not only of historic buildings but also of everyday life in the past.

The Stichting Onstwedder Gaarv’n holds its own Oogstfeest once a year at the event site in Onstwedde. The organization demonstrates traditional crafts, especially agricultural ones, and offers courses for aspiring craftspeople; its demonstrations take place throughout the northern Netherlands. If you plan to include the festival in your trip, check the date for your travel period.

Walking trails and landscape

A Toeristisch Overstap Punt (TOP), which serves as a junction and starting point for walking and cycling routes, is located at Woldbrink on Dorpsstraat. Route 10: Langs de Toren Onstwedde runs through Kampvennen Park and is six kilometers long. The Boswachterspad Ter Wupping starts at the parking lot opposite Molenpaal 3 in Onstwedde. The trail passes centuries-old fields, crosses eschland, and runs through the stream valley of the Mussel Aa.

The routes offer different points of reference when choosing: Route 10 is six kilometers long and runs through a park; for the Boswachterspad, the starting point and the landscape of fields, eschland, and stream valley define the route. The Ter Wupping observation tower is six meters tall and offers views of elevated fields and eschland, as well as the course of the Mussel Aa stream. If you would like to focus on two river valleys, you can choose a route that highlights the river valleys of the Mussel-Aa and Ruiten Aa streams.

Dal van de Ruiten Aa nature area

In the Dal van de Ruiten Aa nature area, walking trails follow the stream through heathland, fields, and woodland; you may see Lakenvelder cattle along the way. The area can also be explored by bicycle or canoe. This lets you choose between trails alongside the stream and exploring the area by bike or canoe.

Discover more destinations: Stadskanaal, Mussel, Alteveer, Vledderveen.

Go to the main travel overview: Stadskanaal.