Ansen: Walking Trails, Nature and Estate History

Ansen combines walking trails, cycling and traces of cultural history. The options vary by mode of transport, length and trail marking: there is a marked 2-kilometre walking route, an unmarked 3-kilometre route on Landgoed Rheebruggen, and a 37-kilometre cycling route. There are also natural areas and historic buildings. For planning, it helps to have specific reference points such as the starting address, trail markings and the different route lengths.

Walking, Cycling and a Place to Rest

The Anserdennen Dwingelderveld walking route starts at Theehuys Anserdennen, Schapendrift 1 in Ansen. Over 2 kilometres, it passes through the Anserdennen and across the Anseres; blue arrows mark the route. Local conditions may vary.

There is an unmarked 3-kilometre walking route on Landgoed Rheebruggen. In direct comparison, it is one kilometre longer than the marked route starting at Theehuys. Length and trail markings therefore provide two specific criteria for choosing between the walks; conditions on the ground may also vary.

A 37-kilometre cycling route is also available on Landgoed Rheebruggen. It differs from the two walking trails both in mode of transport and route length. Theehuys Anserdennen is a place to stop for walkers on the Drenthepad and cyclists travelling through the Dwingelderveld. Coffee, tea and other drinks are served there, along with fresh cake, sandwiches and other treats. Opening may vary by season, and the food and drink selection may change. Check the latest information before your visit.

Landscape between Anserdennen and Rheebruggen

The Anserdennen area is part of Dwingelderveld National Park. Ansen borders the Anserdennen nature area to the northeast. This clearly identifies the village edge and the named nature area.

Meadows and pastureland lie between Landgoed Rheebruggen and Ansen. The De Zure Venen nature area, with its alder carrs and flower-rich wet meadows, is located there. These landscape features belong to a different named area from the Anserdennen. The road connection is also specific: the road from Ansen to Uffelte passes through Landgoed Rheebruggen.

Havezates and Historic Buildings

Farmhouse Rheebruggen 10 is of cultural-historical, architectural-historical and urban-planning significance because of its connection to the former havezate Rheebruggen. Behind the Bouwhuis Rheebruggen, the original house site of the former havezate, surrounded by a moat, is still clearly visible.

Huis te Ansen, also known as Hof te Ansen, has a separate connection to a havezate. It was a havezate, built in the 12th century by a cousin of the Bishop of Utrecht. Rheebruggen and Huis te Ansen therefore represent two distinct historical connections.

Other examples of architecture include the longhouse farmhouse at Dwingelerweg 25 and the teacher’s house at Dwingelerweg 1. The farmhouse dates from 1840; the teacher’s house was built in 1912 and features Art Nouveau elements. These two construction dates and building types add further perspectives on Ansen to its havezate history. Overall, the buildings mentioned date from the 12th century to 1912.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Drogteropslagen, Zuidwolde, Linde, Ruinerwold, Veeningen, Ruinen, Echten, Koekange.

For the broader travel overview: De Wolden.