Discover Hoogeveen

Hoogeveen offers a range of ways to enjoy a stay: architectural and urban history, cultural attractions, marked trails and nature. When planning your visit, consider whether you would like to allow more time for historic sites, a walk or a longer bike ride. The routes differ considerably in length and theme.

Experience the city’s history and culture

Verhalenwerf tells the story of Hoogeveen through selected items from the museum collection. These include sculptures, photographs, memories and multimedia. The programme includes exhibitions, lectures, guided tours, round-table discussions and other activities; individual events change. The exhibition and temporary exhibition can be visited without an appointment during library opening hours. Check the opening hours before your visit.

Hoogeveen’s architectural history can also be seen in specific places. The core of the Grote Kerk dates back to 1652. A church has stood on the current site for almost as long as Hoogeveen itself. Hoogeveen’s Old Cemetery was established in 1829. Hoogeveense Markt has long been a cultural meeting place and social gathering spot for people from Hoogeveen and the surrounding villages.

The De Zwaluw grain mill was built in 1787 by Roelof Steenbergen van de Velpamp. It is a working mill with a well-stocked shop in the centre of Hoogeveen; flour products are sold in the mill shop. The mill is open on Thursdays and Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Check these visiting hours locally before travelling.

Another way to explore the city’s history is the mobile experience route “Hoogeveen: vaart door de tijd”. It covers the vanished Kruis, the city’s large markets and the era of the Pullevaarders. The Hoogeveensche Vaart has three locks: Rogatsluis, Ossesluis and Nieuwebrugsluis.

Compare walks and bike rides

For a guided look at historic buildings and monuments, the Historische Kring Hoogeveen organises city walks for groups. A guided city walk starts at the historic crossroads of the waterways Hoofdstraat, Haagje, Alteveerstraat and Schutstraat, and ends at the Hoogeveense Kei, at the present-day start of Hoofdstraat. The signposted Hoogeveen city walk is 3 kilometres long; route details may change locally.

The 12-kilometre Van Gogh walking route “Nieuw begin” starts in Hoogeveen. The 50-kilometre “Vincents Aankomst” cycling route starts at Hoogeveen railway station. Along this cycling route, information boards tell visitors about Vincent van Gogh and his time in Drenthe. At some locations, there are viewing panels and audio stories. The two routes therefore differ not only in length but also in the way you travel.

Another walking option is the more than century-old, species-rich Spaarbankbos, with its oak and beech avenues, dark coniferous forests and winding woodland paths. The forest is freely accessible via roads and walking paths; one route runs through it and is marked in purple. The art route “Kunst in het Spaarbankbos” takes place every two years during the summer months. The route, which is about one kilometre long, features works by professional artists; dates vary from season to season.

Nearby, the signposted “Oude Diep” walking trail starts at Hoogeveen railway station and passes through Spaarbankbos and the Boerenveensche Plassen nature area. When choosing a tour, you can compare its specific length, theme and type of activity without treating walking trails and cycling routes as the same thing.

Planning information

Tourist Info Hoogeveen is located in the central hall of De Tamboer Theatre. There you can get information about routes, attractions, day trips and events. Items for sale include cycling maps and routes, walking and junction-network maps, as well as the Drenthepad guide and Van Gogh cycling and walking guides. This can help you choose between a city walk, a marked forest route and longer tours.

Whether you plan your stay around Hoogeveen’s cultural history or its green trails, the places and routes mentioned offer different themes and levels of physical activity to consider. When looking for a hotel for your stay in Hoogeveen, you can take into account the length and focus that best suit your plans.

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

For the overview of the wider area: Hoogeveen.