Discover Doldersum: Holiday Apartment, Heathland Paths and History

North of Doldersum lies the Doldersummerveld, an extensive wet heathland nature reserve and part of the Drents-Friese Wold National Park. The combination of open heathland and protected nature gives Doldersum a distinct character for a trip in which the landscape is not merely a backdrop, but the destination for the day.

Heathland landscape and wildlife

The Doldersummerveld is home to 111 breeding bird species, including 20 that are considered critically endangered. At the edge of the area is the organic farm Sophiahoeve. Limousin cattle are kept there and graze the heathland in summer. The area also has a post route and an unmarked 7-kilometre walking route. A 30-kilometre cycling route leads through the Drents-Friese Wold National Park.

Routes for short and long days

The Ommetje Doldersum circular route is 3.7 kilometres long and leads through the village of Doldersum. The 7.4-kilometre walking route “Het verhaal van het monument Doldersum” begins and ends on the Brink in Doldersum. The 8-kilometre Doldersum–Doldersummerveld walking route starts at Grenzeloos Doldersum. A 13-kilometre Doldersum–Doldersummerveld walking route leads to a 13-metre-high observation tower with panoramic views over the heathland. The 20.1-kilometre Doldersum–Frederiksoord–Urnenveld walking route also starts at Grenzeloos Doldersum. The 6.5-kilometre Rondje Urnenveld walking route passes through the Koelingsveld and Brouwersveld. The different lengths make it easier to plan your day.

Finding your way at the Huenderhoeve

At the unmanned Huenderhoeve information centre, visitors can learn more about heathland management, the flock of sheep, the esdorp of Doldersum and the Vledder Aa stream. The Huenderhoeve is open every day from 10:00 to 17:00 from April through October inclusive, and admission is free. There is also a charging station for electric bicycles at the Huenderhoeve.

History along the paths and in the village

In the Wapserveld in Doldersum, the “Monument executie gevluchte arbeiders” memorial commemorates seven boys who were shot there by the occupying forces on 8 September 1944. The Jachtopzienerswoning near Doldersum stood in an area that was used for hunting after Baron Van der Felz acquired approximately 500 hectares of land through the Maatschappij van Weldadigheid around 1920. The cart track in the Doldersummerveld was restored in 2021 and is a visible relic of former trade routes. The Doldersum–Doldersummerveld walking route passes two of the four hiding places from the Second World War concealed in the area; they are marked by yellow posts.

Doldersum is an esdorp that originated in the Early Middle Ages. It was originally an agricultural settlement; the first settlement core later formed along two sides of a triangular Brink. Two burial mounds near the Koelingsveld and the Bouwersveld are popularly known as “de Majoor” and “de Generaal”. They probably date from the Bronze Age, approximately from the period between 1000 and 500 BC.

Local flavour and the right holiday apartment

“De werkende wees” is a blond top-fermented beer developed by Grenzeloos together with Maallust brewery. Visitors can try it at Restaurant Grenzeloos in Doldersum. When choosing a holiday apartment in Doldersum, you can make your preferred daily rhythm the deciding factor: short village walks, longer heathland hikes, wildlife observation, historic traces or a cycling tour each offer a different focus. This allows you to tailor your stay to your own travel plans.

More destinations in the region

For more discoveries, you can also view Frederiksoord, Dwingeloo, Wapserveen, Wapse, Wateren, Dieverbrug, Oude Willem and Uffelte.

To the overarching travel overview: Westerveld.