Hotel De Drift is an ideal starting point for a bike ride or walk. We are located between Dwingelderveld National Park and Drents-Friese Wold National Park. The beautiful Drenthe landscape surrounding our hotel has a network of more than 1,400 km of cycle paths. Cycle, walk, or ride a horse on the cycle paths, cobbled paths, and shell paths. Discover the vast forests and heaths, the picturesque villages, characteristic farms, and prehistoric Hunebedden.
Cycling in Drenthe
Recreatiechap Drenthe has created a beautiful network of cycle paths which seamlessly connects to the bicycle junctions in Friesland and Overijssel. You can cycle from junction to junction using the numbered signs. The cycle routes have been plotted on the beautiful Drenthe cycle paths. At each node you’ll find an information panel with a node map. You can then determine the desired cycling route and distance. Wonderfully free and carefree cycling through the unique landscape. A digital cycle route planner with special routes is also available.
For more information, see Recreatieschap Drenthe and Drenthe.nl.
Walking in Drenthe
Drenthe is a real walking province with beautiful junction routes. The entire landscape of Drenthe is at your feet from Hotel De Drift. Numerous hiking trails lead you through this beautiful land of heath, peat, sand, and forests. Follow the route or follow your heart. You will always come across fantastic views and impressive landscapes. You’re far less likely to encounter other people. You will find the most beautiful walking routes here: the Pieterpad route, Drentheroute, and knapsack routes. Whether you want to practice Nordic Walking, ‘letter boxing’ or follow a GPS route: there is so much to do.
Click here for more walking information in Drenthe, and ask us about routes and places to stop at.
Horse riding in Drenthe
Our guests enjoy walking and cycling. We have also welcomed an increasing number of horse lovers recently. Drenthe is of course the place to go for beautiful horse riding trips. There are 1,400 km of bridle paths around our hotel. Horse riding is allowed there. Horses can be hired throughout the province, we are happy to tell you more about the options. Do you want to bring your own horse? This is also possible, of course. We can direct you towards stables in the area where your horse can stay.
Dwingelderveld National Park
Dwingelderveld National Park, which is around the corner from our hotel, is a fantastic nature reserve. It is vast and almost feels like untouched nature. There is a great diversity in landscapes - old forest areas and heathlands - and the Dwingelderveld is mainly known as ‘the large silent wet heath’, the largest contiguous wetland in The Netherlands. Lovely to walk around and enjoy the trees, plants, and animals. And did you know that the beautiful Heebroekerzand with its unique juniper berries is more than worth a visit? You’ll need more than one day. So book our multi-day package to truly experience nature.
More information about Dwingelderveld.
Drents-Friese Wold National Park
Located near Dwingelderveld, the Drents-Friese Wold has a very different character. The Drents-Friese Wold National Park is one of the largest nature reserves in The Netherlands. Over 6,000 hectares of forest, heathland, sand drifts, and stream valley grasslands. The Drents-Friese Wold is one of the most beautiful and most important nature reserves in Europe. Definitely worth visiting for a walking or cycling trip.
More information about the Drents-Friese Wold National Park.
The Blauwe Meer
The Blauwe Meer is a small nature reserve near Dwingeloo. It is part of the Leggelderveld nature reserve. It has a beautiful wide sandy beach, and during the summer it is a great place to swim and relax. There are many cycling and walking routes around the Blauwe Meer.