Echten: Heathland, Trails and Local History

Explore Echten through its diverse attractions: open heathland and woodland, hiking and cycling routes, historic architecture, and regional art and products. When planning your visit, you can decide whether you’d rather spend most of your time outdoors or focus on culture and local history.

Landscape and Trails Around Echten

The Echtenerveld nature area lies north of Echten. It consists mainly of woodland, heathland and moorland, and also includes Hunnenkloosterberg. Formed by meltwater after the Ice Age, this hill was designated a geological monument in 2022. As a landscape feature, it is an open, heather-covered spot in the forest.

The Roekpad leads through Kraaienbosch and around a small lake. This approximately one-kilometre-long sensory adventure trail combines its woodland setting with opportunities for climbing and scrambling; there are natural play features along the way. The information signs include Braille text for children and adults with visual impairments.

For a longer hike, follow the signposted Echtener Esch: the 13-kilometre route runs around Echten and through Boswachterij Ruinen. It starts at the Plattelandswinkel ’t Huus met de Belle, where there is ample parking. The route is not easily accessible by public transport. It is marked with white hexagonal signs with brown lettering. As information about the starting point and route markers may change, check it before setting out.

The route lengths clearly distinguish the two hiking options: the Roekpad is about one kilometre long, while the Echtener Esch is 13 kilometres long.

You can also explore the area by bike. The Echtenerroute runs alongside the Esch village of Echten and through the valley of the Echtenerstroom stream. In general, it is also suitable for especially wide bicycles, such as tricycles and cargo bikes, provided you take the narrow bridge into account. Nearby, in Boswachterij Ruinen, is the Echtenerzand dune complex, which includes a peat lake.

Local History and Culture

The Witte Villa in Echten was built in 1914 for the noble Van Holthe tot Echten family. Tea Time moved into the villa in 2012. The original room layout has been preserved: guests can sit in the Drawing Room, the Study, the Dining Room and the renovated Conservatory. The English theme is reflected not only on the menu, but also in the gift shop, the tableware and the staff uniforms.

Huis te Echten also reflects the area’s long history. The former havezate was mentioned in official documents as early as the 12th century. The history of the block-shaped manor house dates back to the 15th century; its present-day front façade was built in 1808. These dates therefore represent different historical stages: the early mention, the history of the manor house and the construction of its present-day façade.

Regional Products and Art

The tourist information point ’t Huus met de Belle is housed in a former sheep barn. Regional products, crafts, applied art and art from Echten and the wider area are sold there. If you’re interested in a route combining art and nature, note that the Kunst- en natuurroute starts at ’t Huus met de Belle.

Rotating exhibitions of paintings and sculptures are held at Galerie Freek Berend. Together with the historic buildings and the design of the Witte Villa, the art on offer adds a cultural touch to the village’s nature trails.

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

See the overview of the wider area: De Wolden.