Odoorn: Hiking, Cycling and Culture

For a stay in Odoorn, hiking and cycling routes can be just as interesting as culture and archaeological remains. The routes vary in length and character; historical sites offer further points of reference when choosing a destination to suit your interests. If you are looking for a hotel, you can start by considering which of these themes you would like to shape your stay.

Walking trails through the village and forest

The Pelgrimspad Odoorn is listed with two route lengths: 6.5 or 9.5 kilometres. This gives you a choice between the two stated distances. Dichter bij Odoorn is an approximately 7-kilometre hiking and cycling route through the Drenthe village of Odoorn. Based purely on length, this route falls between the two distances given for the Pelgrimspad; its description includes both walking and cycling.

The Schapenpark walking route passes through the Boswachterij Odoorn on the Hondsrug and, among other places, through the Schapenpark. This offers a route through woodland and heathland to compare with a route through the village. You can decide which distance and surroundings best suit your plans based on this information. Route distances and paths may change; check the information for your planned trip before setting out.

Cycling and navigation

On the “Klimmend over ijstijdheuvels” cycling route, navigation is via the cycling junction network. Along the way, signs direct you from one junction to the next. Another cycling route is approximately 10 kilometres long and passes through both the Boswachterij Odoorn and the village of Odoorn. The two descriptions offer different points of reference: one mentions navigation via junctions and signs, while the other gives the approximate route length and the areas it passes through.

Parking is listed for the approximately 10-kilometre cycling route at Restaurant Poolshoogte, Boswachter Meelkerlaan 5, 7873 TE Odoorn, as well as at Schaapstreek 2, 7873 TG Odoorn, and in the centre of Odoorn. Parking arrangements may change; check the information before your trip. This lets you plan your route and your journey there separately, without treating the routes mentioned as one and the same.

Culture and archaeological remains

The chancel of the Margarethakerk dates from around 1200. The church has been restored and adapted for cultural activities. The church therefore highlights both a medieval architectural feature and its cultural use.

Eppiesbergje, a burial mound originally dating from around 2500 BC, lies in the fields north of the road from Odoorn to Valthe. The Ellertsveldroute lists Eppiesbergje as a rest stop; an information board there tells the story of the site. Hunebed D34 is also located near Odoorn. It is a so-called portal tomb and lies on the walking route through Odoorn.

The way from Odoorn to Hunebed D32 along Borgerderweg is signposted; access is via a sandy track. As access information may change, check the route before your visit. This lets you distinguish the archaeological sites by their respective features: Eppiesbergje is a burial mound with an information board, D34 is a portal tomb nearby, and D32 can be reached via a signposted route.

Schapenpark and Poolshoogte

Schapenpark is a heathland area in the middle of the forest. After a devastating storm in 1972, Staatsbosbeheer had sheep graze there instead of replanting all the felled trees. This decision led to the creation of the heathland. If you are considering the Schapenpark walking route, you will find not only a route through the Boswachterij Odoorn but also a landscape with a specific history.

The Poolshoogte observation tower in the Boswachterij Odoorn was rebuilt in 2000. The summit of Poolshoogte Hill is 38 metres above NAP. These details describe the hill and the history of the tower; they add another notable place name to the route and culture themes for your planning.

Discover more destinations: Drouwenermond, Exloo, Borger, Eesergroen, Klijndijk, Tweede Exloërmond, Drouwen, Ees.

For the broader travel overview: Borger-Odoorn.