Holiday apartment in Zuidwolde – Nature, Trails and Regional Discoveries

Zuidwolde is an esdorp situated on a ridge formed during the penultimate ice age. Those choosing a holiday apartment in Zuidwolde will find an appealing mix of landscape, nature observation, cycling and walking routes, regional products and distinctive traces of local history. The various experiences can be organized according to the desired distance, interest in nature or cultural curiosity, so that not every holiday day has to look the same.

Landscape between Esbosjes and Reestdal

The Esbosjes Zuidwolde form a small-scale landscape on the Zuidwolde ridge, consisting of old woodland, hedgerows, rows of trees, herb-rich fields and nutrient-poor grassland. A special butterfly species has been observed in Drenthe only in the Esbosjes Zuidwolde. Southeast of Zuidwolde are also the Zwarte Gat heathland and De Slagen, with a large peat lake. The Reestdal around Zuidwolde includes estates, heathland, forests, grassland in the stream valley and atmospheric farmhouses along the Reest River. The natural landscape therefore ranges from small-scale ridges to heathland and stream-valley landscapes.

Holiday apartment in Zuidwolde for varied trails

The Vlinderommetje Zuidwolde is a 10-kilometre circular walking route around Zuidwolde. The route focuses on butterflies, dragonflies and other insects; wild plants and birds can also be seen along the way. Wooden posts with the route’s yellow logo mark the trail, while information boards regularly provide details about local sights. The Vlinderommetje Zuidwolde is partially suitable for wheelchair users and pushchairs; in some places, the route has been adapted for this purpose. The starting point is a few minutes’ walk from the Molenweg bus stop in Zuidwolde. Those who prefer longer walks can follow stages 6 and 7 of the long-distance walking route „Loop van de Reest“ along and through the Esbosjes Zuidwolde.

Cycling with short and long options

Zuidwolde also offers different options for cycling tours. The Wiede Wold Fietsroute follows the node network of the cycling network and can be divided into two shorter circular tours. The complete Wiede Wold Fietsroute is 70 kilometres long. The Randje Drenthe Route 4 Zuidwolde has a clear connection to the village: it starts and ends at Cafetaria Het Busstation in the centre of Zuidwolde. When planning, you can therefore choose between a divided circular tour, a longer day route and a route starting and ending in the centre.

Local history and special discoveries

Every year, Museum de Wemme presents a new selection from its collection of 54 historic handcarts. The Meule van Wassens, formerly De Vlijt, was shipped to Zuidwolde and rebuilt there in 1878 as a post mill for grain on a mill mound. The present-day Hervormde kerk on Hoofdstraat in Zuidwolde was completed in 1823. In Faliebergbos, in the middle of the forest at the foot of the hill, there is an outdoor theatre hollow where free open-air performances take place. The Vlindertuin in Zuidwolde was created in 1998 as part of the VLINDER-2000 project and is intended to inform residents and visitors about insects, especially butterflies.

Regional products and living traditions

De Boerenstreek in Zuidwolde sells regional products from short supply chains. These include cheese, dairy products, fruit and vegetables, eggs, nuts, honey and rapeseed oil, as well as beef, chicken and pork. During the Reestdaltocht, dozens of authentic horse-drawn carriages and wagons travel through Zuidwolde and the surrounding area. These two facets provide your stay with a down-to-earth complement to the nature and cultural experiences: you can discover regional food while also experiencing a traditional event with many horse-drawn vehicles.

More places to consider

If you would like to compare other places besides Zuidwolde, you can find Echten, Drogteropslagen, Ruinen, Ruinerwold, Linde, Veeningen, Ansen and Koekange here.

For the overarching travel overview: De Wolden.