De Veenhoop: Wetlands, Ferries and Frisian Culture

De Veenhoop combines wetlands, waterways, hiking and cycling routes with distinctive buildings and events. Anyone looking for a holiday apartment in De Veenhoop can base their choice of location on different holiday priorities: nature observation, active routes, sailing lessons or Frisian culture. The local destinations show how varied the days can be.

Wetlands and nature observation

Petgatten De Feanhoop is located on the edge of De Alde Feanen National Park. Several hiking trails lead through the area and are accessible outside the breeding season. A section of the Bonifatius Kloosterpad also passes through the wetlands. In Kraanlânnen, the birdwatching hut offers a view of a lake; visitors can see various waterbirds there throughout the year. This means your planning can focus clearly on both activity and nature observation.

Trails, junctions and ferries

The hiking route along the Turfroute begins in De Veenhoop and then passes notable places in De Alde Feanen National Park. On this route, the Grietman Eco ferry is crossed twice. The cycling route along the Turfroute begins in De Veenhoop at bicycle junction 49 and uses a self-service ferry. A ferry for cyclists and pedestrians also operates from De Veenhoop from April to October. TOP De Veenhoop is a tourist starting point: here, you can park your car or arrive by public transport and then cycle, hike or go boating in beautiful surroundings.

Routes on water and land

On the water, Zeilschool De Veenhoop complements the network of routes with sailing lessons. The “Het mooie van De Veenhoop – Drachten” route passes through the landscape around De Veenhoop and then through Drachten. When choosing a holiday apartment or accommodation, you can consider whether your main focus is a hiking or cycling tour, the TOP starting point, a ferry ride or sailing lessons.

Wind motor and Frisian architectural heritage

The De Veenhoop Wind Motor was built as a large American wind motor and erected in 1926 by a trading company from Rotterdam. It is designated as a Rijksmonument, has a diameter of 11 metres and a wind wheel with 30 blades. The Nieuwe Noordergemaal is modelled on a Frisian barn type. At this structure, fish can swim unhindered between the Krûme Gat, the Wilde Mûntsegroppe and the Petgatten De Veenhoop nature area.

Literature, festival and Skûtsjesilen

The townscape also includes the Skriuwersarkje by Rink van der Velde, which is located in De Veenhoop and serves writers as an inspiring retreat for working on books and collections of poetry. De Veenhoop is known for the annual Veenhoop Festival. On 20 July 2026, the town hosted the SKS-Kampioenschap Skûtsjesilen. A holiday apartment in De Veenhoop is therefore also suitable for travel plans that combine nature experiences with literature, events and Frisian culture.

Discover more places

If you would like to extend your travel plans to other places, you can find: Oudega, De Tike, Drachten, Rottevalle, Goëngahuizen, Oudega Gem Smallingerlnd, Houtigehage.

For the higher-level travel overview: Smallingerland.