Walking

The Dwingelderveld is particularly suitable for exploring nature on foot. Dozens of kilometres of footpaths offer great views of the moorlands, forests and fens. Staatsbosbeheer and Natuurmonumenten have marked and described walking trails of various lengths. There are also two beautiful family trails for people with reduced mobility. Especially for our sporty visitors, we have also laid out a 23 kilometres long running route.

In the Northern forest area, there are numerous opportunities to go for an enervating walk, either following marked routes, or just to wandering around.

Nightly walks, special routes to walk at night

Walking at night is a very special experience. In many nature reserves, you’re not allowed access outside daytime hours, in order to not disturb the wild animals. But in the Dwingelderveld, Natuurmonumenten has laid out a special night route. You’re allowed to walk these routes at night. The route starts at the parking park of the swimming pool, Anserpad 2 in Dwingeloo, close to the Planetron and camping De Noordster. For more information, visit the Natuurmonumenten website.

The symbol for the Night Route is on the signs that have been placed along it. Besides, there are very few marked Night Routes left in the Netherlands…

Family routes for walkers with reduced mobility, but also for the prams, strollers etc….

There is a 2.6 kilometres (pdf?handheld=true, 182 kB) long paved family route, starting at the Spier Orientation Centre. This route is especially suitable for disabled people and walkers with mobility problems. A family route has also been laid out near the sheep fold at Achter ‘t Zaand near Lhee, also suitable for visitors with reduced mobility. This route is about 3 kilometres (pdf?handheld=true, 149 kB) long. You will find more information about the family routes if you follow the link “Family routes disabled”. Cycling is not allowed on both family routes.

23 kilometres trail run for runners
The Dwingelderveld is also a great place for runners. We laid out a 23 kilometres “Trail run” for runners. Please click here for more information.
Swimming pool De Paasbergen in Dwingeloo is also a starting and end point of a recreational running course totalling 15 kilometres.

Visitors at the vantage point
Together with the logo of the National Park, the vantage point on top of the sound barrier along the A28 represents the Dwingelderveld National Park: the head of a sheep, a Drenthe Moor sheep, to be exact.

Wandelaars DV 18-05-07 (17)[1]
Wandelaars DV 5-5-04 (6)[1]
Benderse DV 21-7-04 (2)[1]

Short walk to the Vantage point along the A28

Would you like to go for a short walk? Walk up to the highest point of the area to get a great view over the Holtveen. The starting point of this route is in Spier, the Orientation Centre. There is a path that takes you from the other side of the road to the base of the noise barrier. The vantage point is also accessible for visitors with reduced mobility. The highest point can only be reached by a stairway. For more information, take a look at (pdf?handheld=true, 109 kB) this map (pdf?handheld=true, 109 kB). The vantage point is situated about ten metres above ground level.

Mammoth walking route Take the time! Through the Northern provinces, and three additional walking routes.

You can find more walking tips on this website if you follow the Take the Time! Link. This is a digital mammoth walking route totalling 470 kilometres. The route is divided into 36 courses ranging from 10 to 25 kilometres long. Following the Green Corridors, ‘Take the Time!’ crosses four Provinces, six National Parks, two National Landscapes and two World Heritage sites. The route is available for download for both tablets and smartphones and you can plan it at home. There are three more walking courses on this webpage. If you’re still not satisfied, there are even more routes on the website of Peter Nijhoff Foundation (The Peter Nijhoff association).