• Koning Willem III farmstead

Past colonial farmhouses, fields and tasty treats

(18 km)
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Hop on your bike and cycle the 18 km route past characteristic colonial farmhouses. Each farmstead has its own history and has since developed into a modern agricultural business. You’ll pass Hoeve Koning Willem III, Hoeve Prinses Margriet, Hoeve Immermoed, Hoeve Werkhorst and the former Vrijboerhoeve in the heart of Frederiksoord.

Along the way, you’ll see various small fields sown with beautiful flower mixes, buckwheat and other lovely sights and delicacies. While you’re out and about, do take a moment to stop off at the various monuments the area has to offer.

For delicious local produce, you can visit a number of local shops along the way or sample some tasty treats at Hoeve De Werkhorst, De Bijenhoff or Het Proeflokaal.

A delightful trip right through the Free Colonies of Benevolence!

Directions

  • Start at DE PROEF. in Frederiksoord and head towards the roundabout.
  • Head to the roundabout…

Hop on your bike and cycle the 18 km route past characteristic colonial farmhouses. Each farmstead has its own history and has since developed into a modern agricultural business. You’ll pass Hoeve Koning Willem III, Hoeve Prinses Margriet, Hoeve Immermoed, Hoeve Werkhorst and the former Vrijboerhoeve in the heart of Frederiksoord.

Along the way, you’ll see various small fields sown with beautiful flower mixes, buckwheat and other lovely sights and delicacies. While you’re out and about, do take a moment to stop off at the various monuments the area has to offer.

For delicious local produce, you can visit a number of local shops along the way or sample some tasty treats at Hoeve De Werkhorst, De Bijenhoff or Het Proeflokaal.

A delightful trip right through the Free Colonies of Benevolence!

Directions

  • Start at DE PROEF. in Frederiksoord and head towards the roundabout.
  • At the roundabout, turn left onto Koningin Wilhelminalaan (KWL) and continue for 1.3 km until you reach Hoeve Koning Willem III – number 63
  • From here, head towards Wilhelminaoord and turn left almost immediately onto the sandy track that runs past Hoeve Willem III.
  • After 200 metres, the sandy track crosses a tarmac road; from here, follow the yellow signs for the ‘Monumentenroute’ until you have passed Wilhelminaoord.
  • The Monuments Route continues along Oranjelaan; do not turn off but carry on straight ahead along Van Namen van Eemneslaan until you reach the Mei Chu gardens.
  • At Mei Chu, turn right onto the sandy track until you reach the main road, the KWL.
  • At the KWL, turn left onto the cycle path and follow it for about 650 metres until you reach the junction with the Oostvierdeparten.
  • Turn right onto Oostvierdeparten and follow this road for 1.4 km until the first tarmac turn-off on the right onto Jan Wapstraweg towards Vledderveen.
  • After 200 m, take the first sandy track with a shell-covered cycle path on the left, turning onto the Grensweg.
  • You cycle along the Friesland/Drenthe border (black-and-white boundary posts); after 1.5 km, at the T-junction (walking junction 26), turn left onto Jan van der Veenweg (towards walking junction 34).
  • After 200 m, turn right at the T-junction with the Oostvierdeparten.
  • After 400 metres, take the first turning on the right onto Werkhorstlaan.
  • After 1.5 km, at Hoeve Werkhorst, turn left off the tarmac road and immediately right onto the cycle path.
  • Follow the cycle path for 2 km to cycle junction 25.
  • Cycle towards junction 42 until you reach the T-junction with a tarmac road.
  • Turn left here and then immediately right onto the tarmac road Vledderveld until you reach a T-junction with a sandy track featuring a shell-covered cycle path.
  • Turn left here towards walking junction 96 until you reach the Van Royenweg in Vledder (approx. 1 km).
  • Follow the Van Royenweg for 300 metres to De Tippe restaurant.
  • At De Tippe restaurant, turn right onto Vledderweg until you reach the roundabout in Frederiksoord, then carry on to DE PROEF.

This route is also featured in the booklet ‘Boekweit Terug in de Kolonie’. Available for €4.95 at DE PROEF., the De Proefkolonie museum and Hoeve Koning Willem III in Frederiksoord.

Tip! You can hire a bike or e-bike at the Fietstransferium Frederiksoord or pick up a shared bike from the hub at DE PROEF (subject to availability).

You are going to see this

  • Starting point:

    De Proef.
    Majoor van Swietenlaan 15
    8382 CG Frederiksoord
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  • Koning Willem III farmstead

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  • Botanical Garden - Mei Chu

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  • Hoeve De Werkhorst

    On the edge of the woods and moors of the Drents-Friese Wold is Hoeve De Werkhorst. At this rural farm, the Bethlehem family runs a modern dairy farm where fresh dairy products are made and sold.

    Hoeve De Werkhorst

  • Cafe restaurant De Tippe

    "The address for food, drink and togetherness" A small snack, an extensive a la carte dinner, alone or in a group.

    Cafe restaurant De Tippe

  • Frederiksoord bicycle park

    Starting point for the most beautiful cycle tours in Drenthe! The Fietstransferium Frederiksoord is located in the heart of the Colonies of Weldadigheid. Here you can hire various two-wheeled vehicles (including bicycles, e-bikes and e-choppers) to discover the unique area.

    Frederiksoord bicycle park

  • Nature and playground De Bijenhoff

    Right in the heart of Frederiksoord you will find De Bijenhoff, a beautiful nature park with a unique maze (publication in the National Geographic!). Come wander and loaf in nature. Walk the Nature Path with the children and discover how important the bee is for our eco-sy

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  • Grand Café Museum de Proefkolonie

    The museum has a cosy Grand Café with terrace, where you are welcome for a snack and drink.

    Grand Café Museum de Proefkolonie

  • End point:

    De Proef.
    Majoor van Swietenlaan 15
    8382 CG Frederiksoord
    Navigate to end point

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