Holiday apartment in Collendoorn: Nature, Routes and History

Collendoorn is an old village with farmhouses scattered across the Esgrond. In the Collendoorn nature reserve, landscape, activity and history come together: it is located on an old, 20-metre-high waste heap. This unusual combination gives your stay several possible focuses. When choosing a holiday apartment in Collendoorn, it is also worth considering first whether you particularly want to include nature, cycling, horses or historical sites in your plans.

Collendoorn nature reserve: elevation and paths

From more than 20 metres above ground level, the Collendoorn nature reserve offers views across the surrounding area as far as Germany. A 3-kilometre route is signposted in the nature reserve as part of the network of walking paths. The nature reserve can also be explored on horseback via a bridleway. This allows you to experience the landscape from different perspectives, both on a walk and on a horseback ride.

Dogs are allowed in the Collendoorn nature reserve, provided they are kept on a lead because of the grazing cattle. There is a car park on the Kerkdijk in Collendoorn. If you are travelling with a dog, the lead requirement due to the grazing cattle is one of the specific conditions for your visit.

Remembrance and historical traces

The “Kamp Molengoot” monument in Collendoorn is a glacial boulder with a bronze relief. It depicts a group of Jewish prisoners performing forced labour; the boulder stands on a stone Star of David. The monument honours the Jews of Hardenberg and commemorates the hundreds of Jewish residents who were forced to perform labour at this Rijkswerkkamp from April to October 1942.

The “Kamp Molengoot” monument is located at the site of the former Rijkswerkkamp Molengoot on the Luggersweg in Collendoorn. The farmhouse at De Kerkdijk 1 has also been a Rijksmonument since 15 May 2000.

A ridderhofstede stood in Collendoorn in the 14th century; the name “Havezatheweg” is a reminder of this. The historical perspective therefore extends from the village’s medieval history to the remembrance of the former Rijkswerkkamp.

Holiday apartment in Collendoorn and choosing your excursions

The Collendoornerveenroute is a 45.8-kilometre cycling route with a duration of 3 hours and 3 minutes. Compared with the 3-kilometre walking route, it represents a considerably longer excursion. The different route lengths help you consider a short nature outing and an extended bike ride as separate planning options.

If you are considering a holiday apartment in Collendoorn or a holiday home for your stay, you can tailor your preferred daily rhythm to these options: short walks through the nature reserve, a horseback ride, a longer cycling tour or historical sites. Collendoorn combines village landscapes, nature and a history that can be experienced at several specific locations.

Other places for orientation

Gramsbergen, Lutten, Loozen, Rheezerveen, Hardenberg, Slagharen, Diffelen, Schuinesloot

Back to the higher-level travel overview: Hardenberg.