Zuidoosthoek and Opsterland

The Landscape

The region of Zuidoosthoek lies in a transitional zone between the Frisian lake district and the higher sandy soils of Drenthe and Overijssel. It is an intimate and diverse landscape, where forests, heathlands, meadows, canals, and ancient peat fields flow into one another in a natural rhythm. What makes this region truly special are the quiet witnesses of the Ice Age: the pingos, the boulder clay beneath the surface, the marshy peatlands, and the small-scale mosaic of fields and pastures, bordered by alder groves and hedgerows. Noteworthy are the many characteristic farmhouses and historic buildings, as well as the centuries-old village churches that stand like silent beacons in the landscape.

To the north lies Opsterland, a municipality with a rich history, shaped by peat-cutting, craftsmanship, and agriculture. Here, old canals and drainage ditches crisscross the land, silent reminders of a time when peat was still cut by hand. In villages like Beetsterzwaag, the grandeur of stately manor houses and country estates reflects the prosperous past of the Frisian nobility. At the same time, the landscape exudes serenity and simplicity, with bird-filled meadows, tree-lined lanes, and expansive vistas that invite you to pause and take it all in.