Discover Appelscha: Nature, Culture and Family Experiences

Appelscha lies on the edge of the 61-square-kilometre Drents-Friese Wold National Park. In addition to nature trails and viewpoints, Appelscha offers art, history and an amusement park.

Nature and Views at Bosberg

Bosbergtoren, a 33-metre-high tower, stands on Bosberg, the highest point on the Frisian mainland. From there, you can enjoy views of the three provinces of Friesland, Drenthe and Groningen. The tower has a lift, so people with reduced mobility can also access this experience. The Bosbergpad is a short walking trail through the Drents-Friese Wold and follows a paved path. Information panels focus on nature topics. The path is accessible to wheelchair users, people using walking frames and pushchairs. It starts in the centre of Appelscha; an entrance with parking and disabled parking spaces is located at Bosberg 2.

Family Trail and Play Forest

Another option is the 2.2-kilometre Familiepad Drents-Friese Wold. It forms a loop through the forest starting at the Buitencentrum Drents-Friese Wold. The Familiepad is accessible to wheelchairs and pushchairs; the information panels are lowered and equipped with Braille. In the Speelbos Drents-Friese Wold, a hill leads to a viewpoint.

Art and History in Appelscha

Two Hein Mader art routes feature a total of 18 sculptures and have Appelscha as their central starting point. The Oorlogsmonument commemorates the Dutch resistance during the Second World War, particularly those who fell in Appelscha. The sculpture De Scheper was designed by Mindert Wilstra and installed on Maurits Van Eppelaan in Appelscha. The Modelboerderij was built as a model farm in 1914 and is a Dutch Rijksmonument. In the 17th century, Appelscha was known as Appelsche; the village centre at the time, now called Boerestreek, consisted of thirteen farms. De Hoolten Klinte in Appelscha is open on Tuesday mornings from 09:00 to 11:30.

Duinen Zathe Amusement Park

Verkeers- & Attractiepark Duinen Zathe is an all-inclusive amusement park. The admission price includes access to all attractions as well as unlimited food and drinks. The traffic course includes rides in pedal cars; visitors can earn a driving badge there themselves. Jungle River is a boat ride past elephants, monkeys, giraffes and other jungle animals. The London City Coaster reaches a height of 14 metres at its highest point.

Turf Route and Cycling Routes

The Turf Route is a cultural and historical boating route through Het Andere Friesland. Along the way, including in Oldeberkoop, Gorredijk, Appelscha and Heerenveen, stories are told about social groups and peat extraction. Van boven tot bodem is an 18.3-kilometre cycling route showcasing Appelscha and its surroundings. Another cycling route from Appelscha passes through forests and peatland landscapes along the old Turf Route. In the built-up area of Appelscha, two locks lie on the Opsterlandse Compagnonsvaart; they are also called “verlaten”.

Further Places for Orientation

For further orientation, you can also explore Waskemeer, Nijeberkoop, Langedijke, Haule, Ravenswoud, Elsloo, Oldeberkoop and Donkerbroek.

To the overview of the wider travel area: Ooststellingwerf.