Holiday apartment in Achtkarspelen: Hedgerow landscape and Frisian culture

Achtkarspelen is located in the Noardlike Fryske Wâlden National Landscape and is characterised by largely intact bank hedges and alder hedges. Well-signposted walking and cycling routes lead through this hedgerow landscape. Between museums, historic buildings, botanical gardens and quiet paths, a part of Friesland reveals itself where nature and culture stand closely side by side.

Landscape

De Kruidhof encompasses 2,000 plant species across almost 4 hectares, distributed among 19 themed gardens. The garden also has one of the largest botanical collections of medicinal herbs in Western Europe and features a nature-oriented playground. The 13.3-km route through the Twijzelermieden offers a different view of the landscape. It leads through extensive grasslands, a hedgerow landscape and reed belts, offering opportunities for birdwatching.

Culture and history

The De Spitkeet open-air museum in Harkema shows how people lived and worked in the Frisian and Groningen heathlands from 1850 to 1950. At the same time, De Spitkeet illustrates the development from living in sod huts to simple stone houses. The museum includes historic buildings that can be viewed inside and out. There is also a rest point for walkers and cyclists, as well as a Toeristisch Overstappunt at the open-air museum.

The Ot en Sien Museum Farm houses the complete collection of 22 school wall charts drawn by Cornelis Jetses. Historic interiors can also be viewed: an old general store, a classroom, a doctor's office, a sickroom, a living room, a kitchen, a worker's house and a chapel.

The IJstijdenmuseum in Buitenpost tells the story of the last two ice ages, as well as their role in shaping the landscape of the northern Netherlands and Northeast Fryslân. There, you can explore how people hunted and lived in prehistoric times. The museum can be visited independently; guided tours for groups and schools are available on request.

The Mariakerk in Buitenpost is a Gothic hall church with a west tower. The lower section of its tower dates from the 12th century, while the nave dates from the 15th century. In Twijzel stands the Simke Kloostermanhûs, built in 1876 and designated a Rijksmonument. The Oudheidkamer in the Simke Kloostermanhûs can be visited by appointment.

In Surhuisterveen stands Koartwâld / Feanstermoune, an octagonal gallery-style corn mill built in 1864. It is open to the public on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and by appointment.

Routes and activities

The Kerspelpaad is a walking or cycling route through the wooded landscape of the Friese Wouden in the municipality of Achtkarspelen. The route passes alder hedges, bank hedges, narrow paths and old farm tracks. The Streekpad Noardlike Fryske Wâlden is marked with red-and-yellow signs.

A 3.4-km walking route through Surhuisterveen leads through part of the centre, past local shops and attractions. The Laarzenpad Bootsma's Poel offers an adventurous way to explore a partially marshy area. Geocaching is also possible in Achtkarspelen without a municipal reporting obligation, provided that the stated additional conditions are met.

Events

The Concours-Hippique in Buitenpost takes place annually during the Paardensportweek. The Stichting Survival Kootstertille organises an annual survival run in the area around Kootstertille. Rondje Kunst Achtkarspelen is also held annually together with artists and gallery owners. Visitors can reach the exhibitions by car or bicycle via picturesque country roads.

Places

For further place navigation: Gerkesklooster, Surhuizum, Twijzelerheide, Buitenpost, Surhuisterveen, Augustinusga.

Other destinations in the same wider area: Terschelling, Weststellingwerf.

To the higher-level travel overview: Friesland.