Borger-Odoorn: Hunebeds, heathland and Hunzedal

Discover Borger-Odoorn through its distinctive landscapes and cultural themes. The Hondsrug is shaped by hills, forests, heathland and shifting sands; the Veenkoloniën are characterised by long, spread-out villages, canals and fields. Water and a diverse range of plant and animal life take centre stage in the Hunzedal. Walking trails, archaeological themes and cycling routes offer different ways to explore the region.

Landscapes between the Hondsrug and Hunzedal

The Hondsrug in Borger-Odoorn is a UNESCO Global Geopark with hunebeds. This landscape includes hilly areas with forests, heathland and shifting sands. On the edge of the Hondsrug lies Drouwenerzand: a relatively high-lying heathland and shifting-sand area covering 220 hectares and designated as a Natura 2000 site.

The Hunzedal offers a different landscape. It is rich in water and home to many plants and animals. Walking, birdwatching and exploring by canoe are all suitable ways to experience nature here. The landscape themes are clearly distinct: heathland and shifting sands take centre stage in Drouwenerzand, while water and wildlife are the focus in the Hunzedal.

The Veenkoloniën, in turn, are a cultural landscape of long, spread-out villages, canals and extensive farmland. Their history encompasses peat extraction, shipping, the glass industry and agriculture. On cycling tours, you can pass museums and old buildings. The landscape thus combines visible village and field patterns with themes from economic and transport history.

Walking and cycling

Drouwenerzand has a signposted six-kilometre circular trail. In Borger-Odoorn, you can also explore sections of the Drenthepad walking route. If you are looking for a different perspective on the Hondsrug, you can walk among the treetops on the Boomkroonpad. The Buitencentrum Boomkroonpad is a starting point for activities and walking routes on the Hondsrug.

In the Hunzedal, walking and birdwatching can be combined with the option of exploring by canoe. These activities offer different perspectives: walking focuses on travelling through the landscape, birdwatching on wildlife, and canoeing on the view from the water. This gives you a concrete basis for comparing activities, without limiting the landscape to just one way of experiencing it.

Cyclists will also find a variety of options. In the Veenkoloniën, cycling routes pass museums and old buildings. The “Aanstreekelijk Borger-Odoorn Route 1” is a 43-kilometre e-bike route designated as “Recreatief” (recreational). Check the route’s seasonal details before setting out.

Hunebeds and history

The exhibition at the Hunebed Centre explores the builders of the hunebeds. In archaeology, these people are known as members of the Funnelbeaker culture. This topic connects the prehistoric structures with the people who built them, giving the visit a focus on cultural history.

The Valtherschans tells another chapter of the region’s history. It is a defensive structure dating from the 16th century and stood right next to the Valtherdijk. From its high ramparts, the view extends for dozens of kilometres across the Hunzevallei. The Valtherschans thus combines a tangible historical connection with sweeping views across the landscape.

Getting your bearings locally

The Tourist Info Point in Borger offers walking maps, cycling routes and tips for visitors to the region. The “Aanstreekelijk Borger-Odoorn Route 1” also starts there, and visitors can ask questions and get tips. The route leads to an artisanal cheese dairy with tastings, an orchard where you can pick your own fruit, and a farm shop selling regional products from Drenthe. Along with the ride itself, these stops give the cycling tour a culinary focus.

Bus routes 300, 305, 59 and 24 serve the Hunebed Centre. As transport details may change, check the timetables before travelling. This lets you plan your visit to the exhibition around a suitable connection without assuming that the bus routes have a specific arrival time or fixed timetable.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Drouwenermond, Drouwenerveen, Borger, Odoornerveen, Valthe, Valthermond, Exloo, Bronneger, Eesergroen, Ees, Drouwen, Buinen, Odoorn, Klijndijk, Tweede Exloërmond.

For the broader travel overview: Drenthe.