Holiday Apartment in Hijken – Hijkerveld, Nature and Village History

When choosing a holiday apartment in Hijken, you can focus on an unusually clear combination: Hijkerveld is one of the largest heathlands in Drenthe and is located near Hijken. Nature, paths and village history are therefore central to choosing this location. Depending on whether you are looking for shared activities, peaceful landscape impressions or historical traces, Hijken offers different points of interest for your holiday days.

Cycling and Hiking at Hijkerveld

For active days, the 45 km “Rond het Hijkerveld” cycling route is a good option. It offers a longer perspective on the landscape around Hijkerveld and can be combined mentally with shorter hikes. The Knapzakroute Hijken is a hiking route across and around Hijkerveld. If you prefer a more compact route, the “Hijken: Hijkerveld” hiking route offers a 7 km option. The different route lengths help you tailor your daily planning to the interests and pace of your travel group.

Cart Tracks as Traces of the Past

The Knapzakroute Hijken also connects the landscape with centuries-old cart tracks. Along this route, you will therefore encounter not only heathland, but also visible traces of earlier paths.

Diependal and the Wildlife of the Surrounding Area

The former liquid-field system of the Oranje potato starch factory was transformed into the Diependal bird reserve. You can reach the birdwatching hut at Diependal via a 162 m long tunnel and a spiral staircase. The Hijkerveld–Diependal area is also home to Schoonebeker heath sheep and Scottish Highland cattle. These specific destinations offer a different focus from the cycling routes and hiking trails: here, the transformation of a former industrial site and today’s landscape with its animals take center stage.

Esdorp with Two Brinks

Hijken is an Esdorp, a village founded in the early Middle Ages as a daughter settlement of Beilen. The villagescape includes two large triangular brinks.

De Antenne and Village Features

The text from Psalm 124:8 is displayed on the façade of De Antenne. A bell tower was built on the Brink for De Antenne in 2015. Both details are part of the village’s visible design and provide a cultural point of reference during a walk through Hijken, without requiring an extensive program. You can combine these features with the paths through Hijkerveld or with exploring the cart tracks.

Protected Landscape and Agricultural Use

Zuid-Hijkerzand is a protected nature area. Vorrelveen has traditionally been used by farmers from Hijken as hay meadows and grazing land. This contrast also makes the location interesting if, during your holiday, you would like to experience not just individual destinations but different types of landscape.

Choosing the Right Holiday Apartment in Hijken

The question of finding a holiday apartment or holiday home in Hijken can therefore be closely linked to your preferred daily rhythm. Would you like to focus on cycling tours and hiking trails, are you interested in Diependal and its wildlife, or would you like to include the brinks, De Antenne and the history of the Esdorp? Hijken offers concrete themes to consider: heathland, nature areas, wildlife observation, historic paths and village culture. This allows you to base your accommodation search on the experiences that are most appealing to your travel group.

Discover More Places

If you would like to compare Hijken with other places in the surrounding area, you can find Smilde, Hoogersmilde, Beilen, Witteveen, Hooghalen, Spier, Drijber and Elp here.

For the overview of the wider travel region: Midden-Drenthe.