Koe en Kalf, Glacial erratic formation in Steenwijk, Netherlands
Koe en Kalf consists of two large granite boulders resting on a small hill called De Bult, surrounded by a semicircle of trees north of Steenwijk. These stones form a natural landmark within a wooded setting in this otherwise flat region.
The stones were transported to their present location during the last ice age, when glaciers from Scandinavia moved across northern Europe. These boulders were carried by ice sheets over vast distances, leaving geological evidence of that distant period.
The site takes its name from the size difference between the two stones, with locals calling the larger one the Cow and the smaller one the Calf. This folk naming reflects how communities created stories around natural formations to make sense of their landscape.
The stones are accessible via an asphalt road running through the forest, located on the north side of National Highway 32. Visitors can reach and explore the site on foot, as the surrounding area is suitable for walking.
Local tradition suggests that this site once served as a Germanic tribunal where the community gathered to settle legal matters. This function connects a geological formation with early evidence of human gatherings in the region.
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