Norg: Discover village history and landscapes

Norg combines historic buildings and traditional village structures with walking and cycling routes through the landscape. In the village centre, the Margarethakerk and several village greens offer a glimpse into local history; outside the centre, paths reveal the Norger Esdorpenlandschap. This gives you a choice of different focuses for your stay, from architecture and concerts to longer trips and nature areas.

Village structures and landscape

There are several traditional village greens in the centre of Norg. Many areas of esch (grazing land) and wooded banks have also been preserved. These features are part of the traditional village and agricultural landscape, complementing the view of individual historic buildings. The Norger Esdorpenlandschap includes drift-sand forests and the stream valleys of the Slokkert, the Grote Diep and the Oostervoortse Diep. A walking route through this area offers a distinctive way to experience its varied landscapes.

Norgerholt lies near Norg. It is part of the Natura 2000 network and designated as a forest reserve. Further afield in the region is Fochteloërveen, one of the last raised bog areas in Western Europe. Walking and cycling routes run through the area. Norgerholt and Fochteloërveen therefore offer two distinct nature experiences: the designated forest reserve nearby and the raised bog area further afield.

Margarethakerk and historic buildings

The Margarethakerk dates from the second half of the 13th century. It is a late Romanesque hall church with a simple saddle-roofed tower. The nave has been altered; the narrower chancel has a rounded end. Several clearly distinct forms thus come together in one building: the longitudinal church interior, the saddle-roofed tower and the rounded end of the chancel.

The church is regularly used as a venue for classical concerts. The programme may change, so check the dates in advance if a concert is important to your trip. De Hoop offers another point of historical interest: the mill was built in 1857 as a barley mill for Harmannus Beins. The church and the mill represent different chapters in the village’s history, and were built at different times.

Walking and cycling

The walking route through the Norger Esdorpenlandschap is 10.5 kilometres long and marked with blue-and-yellow posts for most of the way. During opening hours, various walking routes can be picked up at Natuurplaats Noordsche Veld. These include a marked purple route of 6 kilometres and a yellow route of 13 kilometres. The two routes differ considerably in length; they are available during the visitor centre’s opening hours.

Another option is Folly Art Norg: the 7.5-kilometre art trail brings together art, architecture and design in the form of so-called follies in the Drenthe landscape. The event takes place regularly, but the installations along the route may vary from one edition to the next. If you plan to follow this route, the edition taking place during your visit will determine which artworks you can expect to see.

For longer cycling trips, there is the Drenthe Periphery Route 10 Norg. This 55-kilometre route starts and ends at the Oosteind/Peesterstraat junction in Norg. It therefore differs from the walking routes mentioned above in both length and mode of travel. Routes and infrastructure may change, so check the route information before setting off.

Events and leisure

The Worteldagen festival presents theatre and visual art at intimate indoor and outdoor venues in the village of Norg. Its routes take visitors on foot or by bicycle, accompanied by guides, to four locations. Performances at each location are planned to last 7 to 10 minutes. The programme and dates vary with each edition, so if you would like to include the festival in your trip, check the dates for the edition taking place during your visit.

Molenduinbad Norg also offers a specific leisure option. Facilities include a 25-metre pool, a 30-metre slide, a current channel, a leisure pool and a bubble bench. Recreational swimming for children and adults is available during opening hours. A visit to the swimming pool can complement cultural and nature activities; be sure to check the opening hours.

Getting around

Norg is served by QBuzz bus route 83 and Arriva route 84. As travel information can change, check the details before you travel. Free parking is available in Norg, including a large car park at the Brinkhof; parking regulations may also change and should be checked locally.

Whether you want to focus on village history, marked walking routes or a longer cycling trip, the routes listed offer a range of distances and themes. When planning a trip, useful differences to consider include route length, markings and, where applicable, the opening hours for collecting routes. For events, the specific edition and its dates are also important.

Discover more destinations: Roderwolde, Peize, Alteveer, Veenhuizen, Een-West, Roderesch, Westervelde, Zuidvelde.

For the main travel overview: Noordenveld.