‘The Other Friesland’: Heerenveen - De Deelen - Oranjewoud
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This route starts at the Tourist Transfer Point (Toeristisch Overstap Punt or ‘TOP’) at the De Heide recreational area on the outskirts of Heerenveen. Heidemeer lake in the middle of the recreational area has a large sandy beach and is a lovely place to swim and enjoy the sun. From here you can cycle into the centre of Heerenveen in no time. With a population of 30,000, Heerenveen, or It Hearrenfean as it is known in Frisian, is one of the largest towns in Friesland. In fact, it is larger than several of the eleven cities in the province! There are plenty of impressive monuments to see in
Heerenveen, including the majestic Crackstate mansion.
If you have never …
Make it easy to navigate. Download the route in Google Maps.
This route starts at the Tourist Transfer Point (Toeristisch Overstap Punt or ‘TOP’) at the De Heide recreational area on the outskirts of Heerenveen. Heidemeer lake in the middle of the recreational area has a large sandy beach and is a lovely place to swim and enjoy the sun. From here you can cycle into the centre of Heerenveen in no time. With a population of 30,000, Heerenveen, or It Hearrenfean as it is known in Frisian, is one of the largest towns in Friesland. In fact, it is larger than several of the eleven cities in the province! There are plenty of impressive monuments to see in
Heerenveen, including the majestic Crackstate mansion.
If you have never been on a ferry before, now is your chance! You cross the water on the De Deelen bike ferry in the village of Luinjeberd. Time to take in the beautiful scenery of the De Deelen wetland reserve.
A century ago peat labourers shed blood, sweat and tears as they worked to strip peat from the land. Their hard work resulted in cartloads of turf for the stove. And just north of the town of Heerenveen it created a richly textured landscape, leaving a mosaic of water, reed beds, patches of swamp forest and narrow strips of grassland.
You continue on through the picturesque villages surrounding the wetland reserve to the forests of the Oranjewoud Park Landscape. You will see several beautiful country estates in this area, including Oranjestein, which was built in the Oranjewoud forest in 1820. The estate still retains its authentic character and idyllic atmosphere.
Locations on this route
De Heide Recreational Area
De Heide is a recreational area on the outskirts of the town of Heerenveen. Heidemeer Lake in the middle of the recreational area has a large sandy beach and is a lovely place to swim and enjoy the sun.
De Deelen Nature Reserve
The De Deelen nature reserve was a peat mining area. Today the land is a mosaic of water, reed beds, patches of swamp forest and narrow strips of grassland. This wetland area is home to many species of birds. There is also unique industrial heritage here.
Museam Belvédere
The sleek museum building was designed by Eerde Schippers from Inbo architects in Heerenveen. The building is intrinsically connected with the landscape and the art. The dark basalt façade almost disappears against the trunks of the trees in...
De Overtuin & Landgoed Oranjewoud
De Overtuin is a royal park and offers an oasis of calmness. In the middle of the park, there is a beautiful, white-built country house with a beautiful garden. The house built in 1829 has a historic past ...here you can feel the presence of the history.
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