A nature playground with water, sand and mud, regular excursions and a nearby swimming lake offer various ways to enjoy a day out in Eelderwolde. The expansion of the Paterswoldsemeer has brought the village almost to the water’s edge. If you are considering Eelderwolde as a place to stay, you can first choose what interests you most: activities at De Onlanderij, a walk around Hoornseplas, or nature and history.
De Onlanderij: Excursions, Play and Refreshments
De Onlanderij is an inn and shop in the De Onlanden nature reserve, at Madijk 1, 9766 TZ Eelderwolde. Regular birdwatching, cycling and deer-spotting excursions are offered from there; you can sign up through the events calendar. Dates may vary, so check the calendar if you want to plan a specific excursion. The activities have different focuses: bird and deer watching alongside exploring by bike.
The OERRR nature playground is located at De Onlanderij. Children can play there with water, sand and mud, and balance on logs. The playground is designed so that children with disabilities can play together with others. De Onlanderij prepares fresh drinks and sandwiches daily using organic, locally sourced ingredients. This brings nature-based activities and an opportunity to get refreshments together in one place, without requiring a particular itinerary.
Explore Hoornseplas on Foot or by Bike
Hoornseplas, a shallow swimming lake with a sandy bottom, sandy beaches and grassy areas for sunbathing, is near Eelderwolde. A cycle bridge next to the Nij-dam allows walkers and cyclists to take a loop around Hoornseplas on separate paths. The lake therefore offers a different kind of outing from an excursion with a scheduled event: the focus here is on a route by the water and choosing between walking and cycling paths.
Wet Landscapes and Seasonal Wildlife Watching
The landscape in De Onlanden also has many different facets. The old stream-valley landscape of the Eelderdiep has been restored there; the area around the Eelderdiep is among the wettest parts of De Onlanden. Water rails, spotted crakes, great egrets, bitterns and spoonbills have been sighted in De Onlanden, among other species. These sightings are seasonal, so they do not make up a consistent wildlife-watching programme.
Near Eelderwolde, close to the junction of Groningerweg and Oude Badweg, lies Elsburger Onland, a small protected nature area with meadows and swamp forests. It is connected to the Peizer- and Eeldermaden. The wet stream-valley landscape of the Eelderdiep and the meadows and swamp forests of Elsburger Onland offer two specific nature themes to help you choose an outing; the seasonal wildlife sightings in De Onlanden provide another, time-dependent option.
A Historical Connection to Eelderwolde
The Lancaster Monument commemorates the seven crew members who died when their aircraft crashed near Eelderwolde on 20 October 1943. This memorial site adds a specific historical connection to the nature themes. The activities also differ in how you plan your day: for an excursion, the events calendar is key, while at Hoornseplas you can choose between separate paths for walking and cycling.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Stadsparkwijk, Eelde, Tynaarlo, Zuidlaren, Paterswolde, Vries, Midlaren, Zeegse.
For the main travel overview: Tynaarlo.
