Delightful trip through unexpected Friesland

Starting place of this long route through the Frisian countryside is Donkerbroek, part of the beautiful Frisian Woods, an almost un-Frisian landscape of mixed forests and heaths. The village itself is bisected by the Opsterlandse Compagnonsvaart, part of the former famous peat route. The village of Drie Tolhekken owes its name to the former peat cutting and its transport. Also the still present lock, connection to the Tjonger is a reminder of this period. The route continues through the hamlets of Buttinga and Langedijken, where a number of typical bell towers are found, a mainly Frisian interpretation of the term bell tower. A little further on is esdorp Tronde, to this day the subject of debate when it comes to the origin of the name, probably an outline of a number of ancient habitations. After the villages of Boekelte and Oldeberkoop, with some characteristic mansions and villas along the route, the route passes through the landscape of the Tjonger or Kuunder, a beautiful little river, the valley of which hosts exuberant and unique flora and fauna, with many meadow birds such as the black-tailed godwit and the curlew. This region is sometimes jokingly called "the most beautiful part of Drenthe in Friesland" due to the presence of forests, hedgerows, moors and beautiful fens. Via the charming villages of Oudehorne and Jubbega, this 50-kilometer route ends in Donkerbroek.