The best cycling routes around Drents-Friese Wold

As of September 2026, the viewpoint is dilapidated and therefore cordoned off.

The "Nationaal Park Drents-Friese Wold" is a 6150-hectare contiguous nature area on the border of the Dutch provinces of Friesland and Drenthe. The National Park is one of the largest of the 21 existing parks in the Netherlands and consists of forest, heathland, and drifting sand areas. Its closed forest area is the second largest in the Netherlands. It is bordered by Appelscha in the southeast of Friesland and Doldersum, Diever, Hoogersmilde, Wapse, and Vledder in Drenthe. The Drents-Friese Wold area was declared a National Park in 2000. The park is operated by the state forestry administration (Dutch: Staatsbosbeheer), the association for nature monuments (Natuurmonomenten), the Het Drentse Landschap foundation, and the Maatschappij van Weldadigheid foundation. Only a very small part of the area is still privately owned. The National Park has a visitor center in Appelscha and Diever, as well as information boards at the park's six large parking lots. Over 130 kilometers of hiking trails are signposted. The network of very good cycling paths is similarly extensive. Source: partly Wikipedia

Since 1882, the octagonal gallery corn mill 'De Vlijt' has stood here. When it was built, it was about relocating a Frisian polder mill. This mill was rebuilt in Oldendiever by the mill builder Ritzen from Diever. A predecessor built in 1879 by mill builder H. Wiersma from Scheemda had burned down in 1881. During the reconstruction, many wooden parts from the burned-down mill were reused. As a result, burn marks are still visible on many beams today; especially on the beams of the stone hull. On December 22, 1942, the gallery collapsed during the turning. From then on, it was no longer possible to grind with wind power, and the mill became dilapidated. A major restoration took place in 1955/1956. Since the mill was not used for grinding afterwards, it became dilapidated again. In 1979, the mill was sold to the municipality of Diever without the residential house. After an extensive restoration, the mill was put back into commercial operation. We had a very interesting guided tour in German. Tours are possible on Saturdays or by appointment.

The small white wooden church was erected in a very short time. On October 18, 1904, the first stone was laid (the inside of the wooden church consists of a half-stone wall), on December 14, the first church service took place. Busy In the sixties of the last century, the church was so busy that two services were held to accommodate everyone. In 1968, an extension was added to the church. For this, the entire facade was moved forward. But even in the years that followed, the church building was quickly too small again and an army tent was attached to the building to provide shelter for people. In the eighties, 120 people visited the small church weekly. All Protestants feel at home here The numbers stand in stark contrast to the current situation, where the church only has nine members.

The smallest wooden chapel (hall church) in Drenthe. Built in 1904. The chapel houses a state-protected cabinet organ. https://kennis.cultureelerfgoed.nl/index.php/Monumenten/507281

The Fochteloërveen is a vast and rare raised bog area of 2500 hectares on the border of Friesland and Drenthe, near Veenhuizen and Appelscha. The area is known for its expansive landscape and is one of the last places in Western Europe where living raised bog still grows and is being restored.

The National Prison Museum has been located at its current site in Veenhuizen since 2005; the only remaining non-free institution of the Society of Benevolence, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2021. The 1823 building is one of the few tangible reminders from the era of the Colonies of Benevolence in the village. In addition to permanent and temporary exhibitions, the Prison Museum offers engaging activities for young and old. From a visit to a notorious disciplinary prison, a ride through the village with the old Boevenbus (crooks' bus), to in-depth events and activities. See also: https://gevangenismuseum.nl/

The building was erected as a barracks for the Royal Marechaussee in 1886, commissioned by the Ministry of Justice. The design is by W.C. Metzelaar. Above the entrance door is a keystone with Metzelaar's initials and the years 1886 and 1902. The latter year presumably indicates internal modifications to the building as a barracks for infectious diseases. Some later renovations concern the interior and changes to the north side facade and the extension on the west rear facade. These interventions fall outside the protection.