The Colony Trail

(42 km)
Download GPX

The Koloniepad is a footpath between the two colonies Frederiksoord and Veenhuizen in Drenthe (Unesco World Heritage Site). The 42-kilometre trail crosses no fewer than 3 beautiful nature reserves: Drents-Friese Wold National Park, the Doldersummerveld and the Fochteloërveen. From the special cultural landscape of the Colonies of Weldadigheid, you walk straight into authentic and unspoilt nature. Enjoy unprecedented panoramic views and be surprised by the silence you still experience here!

It is also possible to walk this route the other way round (from Veenhuizen), in stages or from a central location in sections. The route is signposted with dark purple signs 'Koloniepad'.

Parking and public transport

There is plenty of parking at the starting point of the route, but also nearby. Coming by public transport? Then get off at bus stop Beukenlaan, and you will be close to the starting point. Plan your public transport journey here.

Dogs

Ho...

The Koloniepad is a footpath between the two colonies Frederiksoord and Veenhuizen in Drenthe (Unesco World Heritage Site). The 42-kilometre trail crosses no fewer than 3 beautiful nature reserves: Drents-Friese Wold National Park, the Doldersummerveld and the Fochteloërveen. From the special cultural landscape of the Colonies of Weldadigheid, you walk straight into authentic and unspoilt nature. Enjoy unprecedented panoramic views and be surprised by the silence you still experience here!

It is also possible to walk this route the other way round (from Veenhuizen), in stages or from a central location in sections. The route is signposted with dark purple signs 'Koloniepad'.

Parking and public transport

There is plenty of parking at the starting point of the route, but also nearby. Coming by public transport? Then get off at bus stop Beukenlaan, and you will be close to the starting point. Plan your public transport journey here.

Dogs

Dogs are allowed along if leashed.

Food & drink

Something to eat or drink during (parts of) this walk? You can do so at the starting and finishing point in Frederiksoord or Veenhuizen, or at other catering establishments along the way in Doldersum, Zorgvlied and Appelscha.

Note:

The Koloniepad trail goes right through the beautiful Fochteloërveen, where nature restoration work is currently taking place. Therefore, you will see conveyor belts and other equipment along the way. When the quays in the moor are restored, the footpath running through the moor will also be closed. Signs will then indicate the alternative route (via the cycle path and footpath). Please bear this in mind. Thank you very much!

More information about the work in the Fochteloërveen can be found via the two links below: 

Information Nature restoration Fochteloërveen
Quay restoration in Fochteloërveen continues low-emission

  • Colonies of Weldadigheid

    Route sign

    Route sign
Follow these route signs

You are going to see this

  • Starting point:

    Museum de Proefkolonie
    Majoor van Swietenlaan 1a
    8382 CE Frederiksoord
    Navigate to starting point

  • Museum The Trial Colony

    SEE - EXPECT - ENJOY Welcome to this special experience museum that takes you back in time some 200 years. Here you will discover the origins of our welfare state during a multimedia time travel. Experience the story of the first settlers.

    Museum The Trial Colony

  • Colony house Frederiksoord

    This Colony House in Frederiksoord can be visited together with the Colony School and is part of the Outdoor Museum of the Colonies of Weldadigheid.

    Colony house Frederiksoord Colony house Frederiksoord

  • Visitor centre | Boundless Doldersum

    Boundless is located in a unique piece of culture/nature. Before you start your walk or bike ride, it is highly recommended to come and have a look at our visitor centre. From...

    Visitor centre | Boundless Doldersum

  • Boundless - Sleep Eat Experience

    Discover our multi-day benefit packages and enjoy your stay to the full. If you book directly, you pay no booking fee.

    Boundless - Sleep Eat Experience Can be booked bare on a lodging basis, but also with breakfast and possibly dinners from the restaurant. This room has a kitchen, ideal for longer periods, among other things.

  • Doldersummerveld

    A vast, wet heathland reserve, located on the flank of the brook valley of the Vledder and Wapserveensche A, north of Doldersum.

    Doldersummerveld

  • Hotel Restaurant Villa Nova

    Hotel restaurant Villa Nova is an attractive family-run business in a beautiful location on the edge of national park the Drents Friese Wold. . Special is the adjacent horse hotel.

    Hotel Restaurant Villa Nova

  • National Park Drents- Friese Wold

    The Drents- Friese Wold is a special area on the border of southwest Drenthe and southeast Friesland. Here you walk and cycle through 6,000 hectares of forest, heathland, shifting sands and stream valley grassland.

    National Park Drents- Friese Wold

  • The Bosberg tower near Appelscha

    33m high watchtower with glass platforms on the Bosberg near Appelscha

    The Bosberg tower near Appelscha The Bosberg Tower has 3 glass platforms at a height of 33m. Fantastic views over the Drents Friese Wold

  • Klimbos Appelscha

    Climbing in Friesland for families and groups. Come climb at Klimbos Appelscha. Climbing in the Klimbos is an exciting outdoor activity in Friesland. The ideal outing for a day out.

    Klimbos Appelscha

  • Tourist Info Point Appelscha

    For a visit to Appelscha and the region, it is practical to know where to find what. In Appelscha, a Tourist Info is located on Boerestreek, where the friendly staff...

    Tourist Info Point Appelscha

  • Forestry Veenhuizen

    Boswachterij Veenhuizen is located between the nature reserve Fochteloërveen and the former coercive colony Veenhuizen. The area covers 800 hectares and you will find the rare pine marten and unusual ferns.

    Forestry Veenhuizen

  • Beer brewery MAALLUST

    Brewed with dedication in Veenhuizen.

    Beer brewery MAALLUST

  • Kaaslust

    Kaaslust is an artisan cheese dairy located in the restored dairy factory of Veenhuizen. A former colony of the Maatschappij van Weldadigheid, declared a UNESCO world heritage site. Come and experience it for yourself.

    Kaaslust

  • Dome church Veenhuizen

    The church was built around 1826 as a waterfront church (modelled on the Koepelkerk in Smilde). The church was intended for the Reformed residents of the colony of the Maatschappij van Weldad...

    Dome church Veenhuizen

  • National Prison Museum

    The Prison Museum tells stories about the consequences of norm-defying behaviour. Stories from the past and present about poverty, crime and punishment. Stories that make you look at freedom in a different way, that make you curious and make you think.

    National Prison Museum

  • End point:

    Prison Museum Veenhuizen
    Oude Gracht 1
    9341 AA Veenhuizen
    Navigate to end point

Description

Starting point:

Museum de Proefkolonie
Majoor van Swietenlaan 1a
8382 CE Frederiksoord
Navigate to starting point

The Colony Path is 42 kilometres long, passes through hiking nodes and crosses no fewer than three beautiful nature reserves. It is recommended to walk the route via the GPX coordinates. In addition, an extensive walking map showing The Colony Path is available at the Museum De Proefkolonie in Frederiksoord and the National Prison Museum in Veenhuizen, the Tourist Info Points in the area and recreational entrepreneurs.

Note! If you want to walk the entire route in one day, it is best to start early. You will soon be on the road for 8 hours. Museums and TIP points may not be open (yet). Take this into account when preparing.

Good to know! Soon, The Colony Path will be signposted and you will be able to follow the route by means of signs. As soon as more information is available about this, it will be mentioned here.

Overview nodes hiking network:
(changes reserved)

Start - museum De Proefkolonie - Majoor van Swietenlaan 1A in Frederiksoord

04 - 03 - 94 (Note! Post 94 is hard to find = across the road behind a grass dune with the black side facing the route) - 93 - 95 - 96 - 05 - 24 - 86 - 78 - 79 - 80 - 83 - 84 - 01 - 02 - 08 - 07 - 88 - 24 - 17 - 03 - 02 - 18 - 34 - 35 - 36 - 42 - 66 - 47 - 44 - 10 - 12 - 17 - 21 - 27 - 80 - 84 - 30 - 32 - 14 - 41 - 12 - 19 - 79 - 77 - 56 - 51 - 24 - 27 - 32 - 60 - 56

End - National Prison Museum - Oude Gracht 1 in Veenhuizen

End point:

Prison Museum Veenhuizen
Oude Gracht 1
9341 AA Veenhuizen
Navigate to end point

Back

Skip map elements

This website uses cookies

This website uses cookies (Functional, Analytical, Marketing) which are necessary for the website to function as well as possible. By clicking accept, you indicate your agreement with this.