Hooghalen: Heathland, Cycling Routes and Remembrance

Three themes can help guide your choice of Hooghalen as a destination: heathland landscapes, walking and cycling routes, and the history of the former Kamp Westerbork. If you are looking for a hotel in Hooghalen, first consider which focus you would like to shape your stay. The places and routes offer different points of interest for planning your trip.

Heathland and routes

Het Groote Zand is a varied heathland area on the northern edge of the Boswachterij Hooghalen. A waymarked walking route there starts at the car park by the Herinneringscentrum Kamp Westerbork. The Zandspeelplaats Hooghalen is also in the Boswachterij: this large sandy area is on the Melkwegpad and is suitable for picnics and play.

The planets are the focus of the Melkwegpad: the trail explains them along the way and takes walkers to the former camp site and the radio telescopes. The Melkwegpad-Bospad walk takes about 1.5 hours and passes Hingsteveen. This provides an approximate time for planning a walk, which can be distinguished from the cycling route’s distance.

The 21-kilometre accessible cycling route passes through the Boswachterij Hooghalen, through coniferous and deciduous forests, and alongside heathland, small moorland lakes and former areas of drifting sand. It is signposted using the Dutch cycle junction network. If you are planning a bike ride rather than a walk, you can use the route length and the landscape described as a guide. The final 5.2-kilometre stage of the Westerborkpad starts in Hooghalen and ends at the former Kamp Westerbork site. As route details may be updated, check the route operator’s information before setting out.

Westerbork history and remembrance

At the historic site of the former Westerbork camp, the Herinneringscentrum Kamp Westerbork tells the story of more than 100,000 people. The centre’s sculpture garden at Oosthalen in Hooghalen is home to the “Bevroren Tranen” (Frozen Tears) monument. The glass artwork is half a metre high and stands on two marble plinths. It commemorates all the Jews, Roma and resistance fighters who were deported through the Westerbork transit camp to concentration camps and never returned.

The Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope is also a distinct landmark in the area: it lies near Hooghalen, within the former Kamp Westerbork site. Members of the general public are not allowed onto the telescope grounds; however, they can see the radio telescope dishes from the end of the Melkwegpad. Visitors not accompanied by ASTRON are asked to leave their cars outside the zone. They can continue to the telescope on foot or by bicycle from the large car park at the Herinneringscentrum Kamp Westerbork.

A stay shaped by your interests

Alongside the history of the camp, the TT’s history is also part of the local cultural heritage. Stichting TT Hooghalen preserves it as intangible cultural heritage for future generations. This brings different themes together: nature and landscape, remembrance of the former camp, and a local motorsport tradition.

When choosing a hotel in Hooghalen, you can compare these interests with the practical planning information: the Melkwegpad-Bospad walk has an approximate duration, the cycling route is 21 kilometres long, and the final stage of the Westerborkpad is 5.2 kilometres. Consider whether you mainly want to walk, cycle, or explore the historic and cultural sites. This can help you choose a destination that suits your interests without treating the different routes and themes as if they were the same.

Discover more destinations: Drijber, Westerbork, Spier, Wijster, Mantinge, Beilen, Hoogersmilde, Balinge

For the overview of the wider region: Midden-Drenthe.