Zeijerveen: Arboretum and Moorland

Zeijerveen combines cultivated moorland with the Assen Arboretum and a designated walking route. The tree collection, the route length and the history of reclaiming the moor offer different points of reference for planning your trip. If you are interested in plants, the geographical origins of the trees are the focus at the arboretum. The walking route has a different emphasis; the history of the area explains how the terrain shaped the landscape.

Trees from Three Continents

The Assen Arboretum is located in the moorland around the hamlet of Zeijerveen. More than 650 different wild tree and shrub species from America, Asia and Europe grow there. The plants are grouped by their origins rather than by species. This makes geographical classification the guiding theme of the collection: American, Asian and European trees and shrubs each represent a region of origin. This arrangement lets you view the three regions as distinct perspectives on the collection.

Another feature is the plants’ natural growth form. Origin and growth form describe two different aspects: the first classifies the trees and shrubs geographically, while the second concerns their shape. If you want to view plants not just individually but in context, this provides a clear way to find your bearings. The collection combines great species diversity with a clear structure, without organizing the plants solely by their botanical names.

Walking Route and Orientation

The Arboretum tree park walk is almost three kilometres long and marked with posts bearing pink markers. It is designed for walking year-round; nevertheless, check current access before setting out. The length and markers give you specific points of reference when planning your walk.

Free parking is available for this walking route in Zeijerveen on Ten Oeverstraat, at number 11. This is useful information if you are arriving by car. The route, markers and parking are separate points of reference: the posts mark the walking route, while Ten Oeverstraat indicates the stated location of the parking.

How the Moorland Formed

Zeijerveen formed as a raised bog because a layer of boulder clay just below the surface impeded water drainage. The limited drainage explains the connection between the underlying terrain and the formation of the bog. The landscape is therefore more than just a backdrop for a visit; it can also be understood through its origins: a layer in the ground affected how water drained and how the raised bog developed.

The Asser wijk was extended to drain and open up the moor. It branched off from the Drentse Hoofdvaart and reached into the moor of Zeijerveen. The historic construction therefore served two purposes: it was intended to support drainage and enable access. Together with the area’s history, this connection shows how strongly water and infrastructure influenced the development of the place.

The Themes That Shape Your Visit

The three main themes are easy to distinguish: the arboretum is about trees and shrubs from America, Asia and Europe and their natural growth forms; the walking route focuses on its almost three-kilometre length and pink-marked posts; the history of the moor explains the role of the underlying terrain and the Asser wijk. This lets you view Zeijerveen through the theme that interests you most, rather than treating the landscape, collection and history as the same experience.

Discover more destinations: Assen, Loon.

Go to the main travel overview: Assen.