Discover Erica: Holiday Apartment, Narrow-Gauge Railway and Peat History

Erica combines peat history, a narrow-gauge railway, canals and nature. Those looking for a holiday apartment in Erica can choose between industrial heritage, landscape experiences, local history and activities on the water to shape their stay around different interests.

Narrow-Gauge Railway in the Peatland

The Industrieel Smalspoor Museum offers a narrow-gauge railway ride through a peatland area. For most of the journey, it follows an original route that was once used to transport peat. Accompanied by an experienced engine driver, children are allowed to operate a narrow-gauge locomotive themselves and subsequently receive a personal engine driver’s diploma. The museum visit thus combines peat history with an active experience for young visitors.

Engine Shed, Collection and Fijnfabriek

The museum grounds contain a four-track narrow-gauge railway engine shed dating from 1910. It is considered the only surviving example of its kind in the Netherlands and is a Rijksmonument. The extensive collection includes narrow-gauge locomotives, carriages, tools, photographs and other materials. The partly still operational peat-litter factory, Fijnfabriek, is also a Rijksmonument and is associated with the production of peat litter.

Nature and Landscape at the Museum

The tour route passes through a nature area described as a special biotope because of its great diversity of flora and fauna, including more than 70 bird species. It is part of Geopark de Hondsrug, which has held UNESCO Global Geopark status since 2015. Griendtsveenpark is located in the Amsterdamscheveld on the border between Erica and Schoonebeek.

Erica Between Colony and Canal

Erica was founded shortly after 1860 as a buckwheat colony on sandy soils in the peatland below Zuidbarge. After the Verlengde Hoogeveensche Vaart was extended in 1867 from Nieuw-Amsterdam to beyond Erica, homes and businesses were built along the canal. The present Roman Catholic church, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Onbevlekt Ontvangen, dating from 1933, stands on Kerkweg. It was built because its predecessor had become too small and was designed by C. Hardeman in the traditionalist style.

In the centre, the steel sculpture De Kanaalgravers by Willem Kind commemorates the hard work involved in digging the peat canals. It stands at the intersection of Verlengde Vaart and Havenstraat, on the site of the former harbour, which has since been filled in.

Hiking, Veenvaart and Trip Planning

The type of trip you want may influence your choice of a holiday apartment in Erica. The Niemandlandsroute runs along perfectly straight canals, old peatland development areas and abandoned sandy tracks and can be followed via the hiking junction network. The waterway from Nieuw-Amsterdam/Veenoord to Ter Apel is known as the Veenvaart. With the opening of the King Willem-Alexander Canal between Erica and Ter Apel, it is possible to travel by boat throughout Drenthe. This means you can choose your accommodation according to your preferred mix of culture, nature, activity and waterways.

More places for your regional selection: Emmer-Compascuum, Zwartemeer, Nieuw-Amsterdam, Emmen, Schoonebeek, Roswinkel and Weiteveen.

Back to the higher-level travel overview: Emmen.