Kamperveen combines an open polder landscape with traces of its history of formation and settlement. Dikes, drainage channels, ponds formed by dike breaches and parcel ditches are still largely intact and tell the story of the area’s development. At the same time, the open landscape extends into the village centre. Those interested in routes through a distinctive cultural landscape and specific historical sites will find both in Kamperveen—from a long-distance trail to traces in the buildings and terrain with documented dates.
Polder Landscape and Dike-Breach Ponds
Kamperveen lies on clay over peat. Characteristic features of the landscape include ponds formed by dike breaches, a distinctive pattern of trees and the open polder landscape. Dike-breach ponds can be seen along Hogeweg, Spijkerboerweg and Venedijk: round bodies of water formed by earlier dike breaches. These features make the landscape’s history legible, without the need to focus on a single viewpoint.
Landgoed Wittenstein lies southeast of the village centre of Zuideinde. Old avenues and tall vegetation remain from the original English landscape park. The avenues and vegetation offer a different way to explore local history than the dikes and dike-breach ponds: here, the focus is on the design of a former landscape park, while the bodies of water and lines of the dikes tell of earlier changes to the landscape.
On Foot or by Bike
The Zuiderzeepad (LAW 8) passes through Kamperveen. Here, it runs from Elburg via Noordeinde to Kampen. This long-distance walking trail around the IJsselmeer is 478 kilometres long and divided into 28 daily stages. Both the total distance and the division into stages may change if the route is altered; check the latest route information before setting out.
Cycling along the Hogeweg and Venedijk dikes is also one of the activities in Kamperveen. The difference between the two options is clear: the Zuiderzeepad is a long-distance walking trail with a named sequence of places and stages, while cycling takes place along two specific dikes. Walking the Zuiderzeepad is also listed as an activity in its own right. You can therefore choose whether to explore the long-distance trail on foot or experience the dike landscape by bike—without combining the two activities into a single route.
Historical Traces
Kamperveen probably originated in the first quarter of the 13th century. A church was built on the Dompe at Leidijk around 1330. Today, only a burial mound marks the former site of the church on the Dompe. These brief dates provide different points of reference: the estimated date of origin refers to Kamperveen as an area, while the year around 1330 refers to the construction of a church on the Dompe.
The electric pumping station at Noordwendigedijk 12A also points to the history of water management. Its foundation stone was laid by J. A. Hardenberg on 19 September 1936. The pumping station is part of the water management system of the Waterschap Kamperveen and is of general cultural, architectural-historical and urban-planning significance. Hogeweg is also home to monument no. 46202: a raised house site with an adjacent dike-breach pond. Here, an archaeological feature in the landscape meets the water features also visible along the local dikes.
The Gereformeerde Kerk Kamperveen was built in 1874. From there, the Christelijke Gereformeerde Gemeente was able to carry out evangelistic work. The pumping station, the raised house site and the church represent different aspects of local history: water management, archaeological heritage and religious community life.
Getting Your Bearings in Kamperveen
Kamperveen has three hamlets: De Zande, Zuideinde and Hogeweg. These names help place the landscape and cultural sites mentioned in context. Zuideinde also features in the location description of Landgoed Wittenstein; Hogeweg is important as the name of a hamlet and as a reference point for the cycling route, the dike-breach ponds and monument no. 46202. For trip planning, there are several options: walk the Zuiderzeepad, cycle along the dikes or explore the area’s historic landscape and buildings.
Discover more destinations: Zalk, Kampen, Grafhorst, IJsselmuiden.
Go to the main travel overview: Kampen.
