Drents Landscape

Drents Landschap

A protected nature reserve spanning thousands of hectares featuring heathlands, forests, and ancient hunebedden (megalithic tombs) scattered throughout the countryside. This area is ideal for hiking and cycling while exploring Drenthe's unique geological and cultural heritage.

Things to do

• Hunebedden Trail Cycling — Explore the megalithic tombs scattered across Drents Landschap by bicycle on dedicated heritage routes connecting ancient stone monuments.
• Heathland Hiking at Dwingelderveld — Trek through expansive purple heathlands in this national nature reserve, particularly stunning during late summer blooms.
• Peat Bog Museum Visit — Learn about Drenthe's peat extraction history and ecological restoration at the informative museum dedicated to the region's wetlands.
• Birdwatching at Fen Reserves — Observe rare wetland birds and migratory species in the protected fen areas and reed marshes of the landscape.
• Forest Bathing in Anerveen Woods — Walk slowly through old-growth pine and mixed forests near Anerveen to experience the restorative practice of immersion in nature.
• Ancient Village Exploration at Exloo — Visit the historic settlement of Exloo to see traditional Drenthe farmhouses and learn about medieval settlement patterns in the area.
• Photography at Sunset Ridge Viewpoints — Capture dramatic light across heathlands and forests from elevated vantage points along designated scenic overlooks.

Food to try

• Drents Ertenwtensoep — A hearty split pea soup with pork and root vegetables, a traditional winter dish deeply rooted in Drenthe peasant cuisine.
• Boekweitpannenkoeken — Buckwheat pancakes served sweet or savory, a local specialty reflecting Drenthe's agricultural heritage.
• Hunebeddenbrood — Dense, dark rye bread named after the hunebedden, traditionally baked in local bakeries with ancient grain varieties.
• Smoked Eel from Local Waterways — Fresh-smoked eel caught from Drenthe's rivers and wetlands, often served as a delicacy at regional restaurants.
• Drenthe Mustard with Local Greens — Pungent whole-grain mustard made locally and used to accompany cold meats and cheese in traditional farm meals.

Local customs & good to know

• Respect the Hunebedden — These 5,000-year-old megalithic monuments are sacred historical sites; stay on marked paths and do not touch or climb the stones.
• Embrace Slow Travel — The Drenthe region values deliberate exploration by foot or bicycle rather than rushed visits, allowing deeper connection with the landscape.
• Visit During Heathland Bloom — Late August through September transforms the landscape into a purple spectacle; locals time visits and photography around this natural calendar event.
• Support Local Farm Stays — Staying at family-run farmhouse accommodations (boerderijlogies) directly supports agricultural communities and provides authentic cultural immersion.