Annen: Hiking, Nature and Local History

Annen brings together specific hiking destinations, natural areas and local history. If you are looking for a hotel in Annen, these themes can shape your plans: the trails vary considerably in length, while Hunebed D9, historic farmhouses and the war memorial offer different connections to the area. Consider which of these interests you would like to prioritize during your stay.

Hiking Trails and Distances

The signposted WMD hiking route is 3.5 kilometers long and passes through the Annen water extraction area. The WMD parking lot at De Bulten, near Annen, is one access point. From there, after crossing the intersection, the path leads to the cycle path; the hike begins 300 meters later at hiking junction 84. Check the route information before setting out if you are factoring this access point into your day’s plans.

The Roelof Schuiling Walk starts and finishes at the Roelof Schuiling monument at the intersection of Brink and Kruisstraat. The Roelof Schuiling hiking route is available as an app for users with a smartphone and GPS. Check before your trip whether the app is still available.

The distances of the named routes can also be compared: the Kniphorstbos (Strubben) hiking route is 6.9 kilometers long, while the Annen-Eext-Annen route is 13.6 kilometers. At 3.5 kilometers, the WMD hiking route is the shortest of the three; the longest is almost four times as long as the shortest. This makes distance a useful, concrete starting point for choosing a route. Check detailed access information for the routes again before your trip.

Natural Areas Around Annen

In the Annermoeras nature area, a walking path follows the winding banks of the centuries-old Hunze River. Duunsche Landen is a nature area east of the Hondsrug. There is also an orchid field in the Annen water extraction area. These features offer different connections with nature: a path along a river, a named area and a specific plant habitat.

De Bulten covers 35 hectares and features wild flora, forests and wet meadows. Near Annen, efforts are being made to combine drinking water extraction with the development of wetland nature.

Local History and Monuments

Hunebed D9 lies in the heart of Annen’s built-up area and is easy to reach by bicycle or car. The village center developed around Drenthe’s largest village green (brink). On Kruisstraat, there is a large hall-house farmhouse dating from 1830 and a Krimpen-style farmhouse dating from 1890. The two dates offer distinct points of reference for the history of the village’s buildings.

Annen’s war memorial stands at the intersection of Molenakkers and Schoolstraat. It consists of a Drenthe boulder with a stainless-steel garland and stands on a plinth of Belgian bluestone. The memorial commemorates six civilians and military personnel who lost their lives during the Second World War and the colonial war in Indonesia, and who were born or lived in the villages of what is now the municipality of Aa en Hunze. Its location and dedication make the memorial a distinct point of interest alongside the hiking and nature themes.

Discover more destinations: Gasselternijveen, Grolloo, Papenvoort, Balloo, Eexterzandvoort, Gieten, Eext, Gieterveen

For the broader travel overview: Aa En Hunze.