Hoogeveen: Peat History, Churches and Van Gogh

Hoogeveen began in the 17th century as a settlement of peat cutters in the bogs of Drenthe. This past is reflected in its buildings and townscape. Local murals and routes also recall Vincent van Gogh’s stay in 1883. Visitors to Hoogeveen can therefore explore a wide range of topics: the formation of the landscape, architecture and the town’s cultural history.

Landscape and routes around Hoogeveen

The Herenplaten in the Nuilerveld is Drenthe’s ninth geological monument. It shows how ice, wind and water shaped the landscape. The Nuilerveld covers about 60 hectares, is managed by Het Drentse Landschap and consists mostly of a drifting-sand landscape. The ’t Opgaonde experience trail has several rest stops and information displays about the area’s natural and cultural history. In the Schoonhoven recreation area, the more than two-kilometre-long experience trail is accessible to wheelchair users, people with rollators and visitors with pushchairs.

The routes also vary in length and type. The signposted three-kilometre City Walk Hoogeveen (Trommelslager) introduces the town’s history. The Hollandscheveld woodland has an unsigned six-kilometre walking route; the 56-kilometre “Rond Hoogeveen” cycling route also runs through the area. The signposted 19-kilometre “Oude Diep” walking route passes through the Spaarbankbos and the Boerenveensche Plassen nature reserve. The Spaarbankbos developed from a wet heathland into a woodland for walking, used by the residents of Hoogeveen.

In the Oude Diep nature reserve, you can walk alongside a meandering stream surrounded by hay meadows, hedgerows and riverine woodland. Its water flows from Mantinge towards Hoogeveen. The route distances help distinguish a short town walk from longer walking and cycling routes, but they do not indicate how long the journey will take. As route conditions can change, check the latest information before setting out—especially for the unsigned walking route.

Van Gogh and Hoogeveen’s history

Van Gogh’s time in Drenthe is the focus of the 50-kilometre “Vincents Aankomst” cycling route. It starts at Hoogeveen railway station. Along the way, information boards, viewing panels and audio stories tell visitors about Van Gogh’s stay in Drenthe. The station has parking and good public transport connections for the route. You can also take a guided Van Gogh walk from the station; check dates and booking options in advance.

For a walk with a different focus, try the City Walk: this signposted three-kilometre route introduces Hoogeveen’s history. The Tourist Info Punt Hoogeveen provides information about routes, attractions, day trips and events, and is the starting point for a guided town walk. If you plan to join this tour, check the dates in advance.

Churches, a mill and remembrance

The Grote Kerk Hoogeveen combines several phases of construction. Work began in 1651; the church was built between 1652 and 1664 in the Classicist style. It was extended three times between 1766 and 1804. The openwork white roof turret dates from 1720 and houses bells from the 17th century. On Schutstraat stands the former synagogue, dating from 1856, which is used by the Baptist congregation.

De Zwaluw is a working grain mill with a shop in the centre of Hoogeveen. The miller traditionally grinds various types of grain and sells them in the mill shop. Access and products may change; check the latest information before visiting. De Cascade offers another view of peat history: this water feature in Hoogeveen’s shopping centre is 250 metres long and ten metres wide. It recalls the former canal used to transport peat.

Nieuwlande and its surroundings also tell the story of the Second World War. They received collective recognition from Yad Vashem for helping to shelter Jews in hiding. A memorial in the Spaarbankbos marks the spot where the German occupying forces shot five residents of Hoogeveen on 1 August 1943.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Fluitenberg, Hollandscheveld, Tiendeveen, Hoogeveen, Pesse, Nieuweroord, Stuifzand, Nieuwlande, Elim.

For the regional travel overview: Drenthe.