Discover Drouwen: Nature and Village History

If you are looking for a hotel in Drouwen, you can plan your trip around two distinct interests: village history and nature experiences. Along Hoofdstraat, several Saxon farmhouses and small village greens are recognizable as reminders of Drouwen’s agricultural character. This gives you a chance to decide in advance whether local history, the landscape or specific activities will be the focus of your stay.

Landscape around Drouwen

The Drouwenerzand nature reserve comprises forest, heathland and shifting dunes. It is a 220-hectare Natura 2000 site on the Hondsrug between Drouwen and Gasselte. The varied heathland provides a habitat for numerous birds and butterflies. This means that different landscape features come together in one area, rather than a visit being limited to heathland alone.

The Boswachterspad Beek en Bos trail runs past the Hemelriek and along the meandering Anderse Diep, and crosses former shifting dunes. If you are interested in streams and former dune landscapes on a walk, this route offers specific points of reference. The Staatsbosbeheer Heide en Plassen walking route also passes through a varied natural landscape and is marked with purple wooden signs.

Village history and hunebeds

The farmhouses and small village greens along Hoofdstraat give the village a connection to its agricultural past. The Expositieboerderij Versteend Leven in Drouwen offers a different focus: it displays minerals, fossils, jewellery and shells from around the world. The exhibition can be visited free of charge and with no obligation; the venue is wheelchair accessible.

At Hunebed D20, the nearly complete ring of kerbstones is noteworthy. From Drouwen, Hunebed D26 can be reached via several narrow, poorly surfaced paths, followed by a sandy track. The Hunebed Museum in Borger displays objects found during the excavation of D26, including stone weapons and tools. This means you can combine a visit to D26 with a look at the finds discovered there.

Trails and activities

The Boomkroonpad is 125 metres long and passes through the treetops to a point 22.5 metres high. It is also the starting point for several woodland walks through the Boswachterij Gieten-Borger. This gives you a choice between the treetop walkway and other walks in the forest.

At Lorkenspeelbos, there are opportunities to climb trees and build dens, as well as a slide, a low-level climbing course and a water pump. The water and sand playground at Drouwenerzand Attractiepark is partly paved, so children who use wheelchairs can also play there. The children’s cycling route Dino de mammoet is marked with white hexagonal signs with green lettering.

Getting there and opening hours

You can reach the Buitencentrum Boomkroonpad from Assen railway station by taking bus 24 towards Borger to the Papenvoort stop; from there, it is another two kilometres on foot. There is a bus stop 250 metres from the entrance to Drouwenerzand. The difference is specific and useful for planning: after getting off at the stop for the Buitencentrum, you still have a two-kilometre walk, while the stop is 250 metres from the park entrance. Check the bus timetable before travelling, as public transport information may change.

From 1 April to 1 November, the Boomkroonpad is open daily from 10:00 to 17:00; from 1 November to 1 April, it is open Friday to Sunday from 10:00 to 16:00. Opening hours may change, so check them before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Buinen, Eesergroen, Borger, Valthe, Valthermond, Odoorn, Odoornerveen, Klijndijk.

For the overview of the wider area: Borger-Odoorn.