This special cycle tour of about 50 kilometres takes you past plane wreck sites in the Noordoostpolder and tells the history of the reclamation of Noordoostpolder and World War II.
Did you know that Noordoostpolder drained in 1942 in the middle of World War II? The Netherlands was still occupied at the time and Dutch workers were expected to perform labour outside the Netherlands. Many did not want that and therefore signed up to prepare the land in the Noordoostpolder for agriculture. They 'went into hiding' in Noordoostpolder. Hence it was called 'Dutch People's Paradise' at the time. Several planes also crashed in Noordoostpolder during the Second World War. These sites can be recognised by special markers and information boards.
The route runs from Schokland along E...
This special cycle tour of about 50 kilometres takes you past plane wreck sites in the Noordoostpolder and tells the history of the reclamation of Noordoostpolder and World War II.
Did you know that Noordoostpolder drained in 1942 in the middle of World War II? The Netherlands was still occupied at the time and Dutch workers were expected to perform labour outside the Netherlands. Many did not want that and therefore signed up to prepare the land in the Noordoostpolder for agriculture. They 'went into hiding' in Noordoostpolder. Hence it was called 'Dutch People's Paradise' at the time. Several planes also crashed in Noordoostpolder during the Second World War. These sites can be recognised by special markers and information boards.
The route runs from Schokland past Emmeloord to Luttelgeest. You will find the Onderduikersbank at Harmen Vissersplein in Emmeloord and you can admire a monument to Allied airmen at Lindeweg in Luttelgeest (at house number 13). For the latter, you need to deviate from the route from Marknesserweg and cycle onto Lindeweg.
Along the way, you will pass the following aircraft wreck sites:
PLEASE NOTE: as of mid-March 2026, the Keileemweg on Schokland will be closed to all traffic due to the poor road surface. Therefore, turn right at cycle junction 75 onto the Schokkerringweg to cycle junction 61 and cross the Schokkerringweg there to follow the Plankenpad. Then turn left onto Oud-Emmeloorderweg and follow it to cycle junction 37. From here, follow the original route.
*From junction 48, the route deviates from the cycle junction network. Follow the following instructions. Turn right onto Muntweg and cycle out. Turn right onto Kuinderweg. Follow the cycle path straight ahead as much as possible. At the end, cross Marknesserweg and turn left on the cycle path. At the roundabout, go straight ahead. Keep following the cycle path along the water. After over 3.5 km, the Marknesserweg turns into the Emmeloordseweg at a roundabout (cycle path goes straight ahead). 100 m after this, take the first road left (S.V. Marknesse), between the sports fields. At the car park, go straight ahead, cycle path between the trees. At the end, turn left. Keep following the path until you enter the residential area. Go straight ahead and turn right at the end on the service road. Go straight on onto the cycle path. At the end (Noordzoom) continue straight ahead on the road. You are now back on the route to junction 30; pick up the junctions again from here.
PLEASE NOTE: as of mid-March 2026, the Keileemweg on Schokland will be closed to all traffic due to the poor road surface. Therefore, turn right at cycle junction 75 onto the Schokkerringweg to cycle junction 61 and cross the Schokkerringweg there to follow the Plankenpad. Then turn left onto Oud-Emmeloorderweg and follow it to cycle junction 37. From here, follow the original route.
