Westerbork-Zwiggelte

Westerbork, which is already mentioned in old writings from 1206, is the starting point of this marked route. Westerbork already had a chapel at that time, which was converted into a church in 1283. Today's Westerbork is a cozy tourist center where you can visit a terrace café or one of the 2 museums. Westerbork is also known for the Westerbork camp, which was used by the Germans during World War II as a transit camp. However, the memorial center with the former camp is located 12 km further on the outskirts of Hooghalen.
Hike outside of Westerbork through an ancient landscape. The last Ice Age had a significant impact on the landscape here and shaped the Drentse Plateau. In these "Drentse Highlands," farmers settled and created the characteristic Drentse esdorflandschaft with elevated villages, Brink, and fields, hedges, and low-lying meadows and grasslands in the catchment area of the stream (Westerborkerstroom).
In the originally medieval esdorf of Zwiggelte, you can feel the authentic Drentse atmosphere of the past. The open character of Zwiggelte has largely been preserved. On the southeast side of the village lies a remnant of a Brink with old oaks and beautiful Saxon farms.
The route begins at Hoofdstraat 16 at 't Aole Gemientehoes, the former town hall of Westerbork. You can park for free behind the center. It is also possible to start the route at other points using the signage.