Tynaarlo: Trails, Water and Culture in Drenthe

The municipality of Tynaarlo lies in the north of the province of Drenthe and within the UNESCO Global Geopark De Hondsrug. Walking and cycling routes pass through a wide variety of landscapes, alongside water activities, churches, country estates and museums. Which of these aspects you choose to focus on may also shape your choice of where to stay and which hotel to book.

Exploring on Foot and by Bike

The 37-kilometre Zuidlaren cycling route crosses the Hondsrug towards Zuidlaardermeer and passes through Noordlaren, Midlaren and Zuidlaren. It combines a longer cycling route with several named places. If you would rather walk, the Wedbroeken route offers a different perspective on the landscape: it follows the Schipborgsche Diep and Zeegserloopje and passes through a stream valley with hay meadows, pools and a sand drift.

“De tien van Tynaarlo: Hart van Tynaarlo” is an 11-kilometre walking route. It gives a varied impression of the municipality’s open spaces, river valleys, streams and forests. The route heads towards Zeegse and passes one of Drenthe’s most beautiful megalithic tombs. Compared with the 37-kilometre cycling route, both the mode of transport and the distance are different—useful points of reference when planning your outings.

The Landgoederenroute Paterswolde also passes several named destinations, including Landgoed De Braak, Friesche Veen, Vennebroek and Landgoed Vosbergen. It starts at Landgoed Lemferdinge and is marked. Check the route markers and parking conditions before setting out.

Enjoy the Water and Nature

De Onlanden is a nature reserve and water-storage area rich in birds, with an observation tower. The De Onlanden walking route starts at De Onlanderij, Madijk 1 in Eelderwolde. This starting point may change if route management arrangements are revised in future. Zuidlaardermeer covers 671 hectares and includes the Leinwijk floodplain marsh. Swimming, sailing and windsurfing are possible on the lake; check water conditions and operating information before your trip.

Churches, Country Estates and Museums

The church in Vries is probably one of Drenthe’s oldest churches, along with the church in Anloo; parts of it date from the 11th century. The country estate area of Eelde/Paterswolde still reflects the prosperity of Groningen’s elite in the 18th and 19th centuries. The area is designated a protected village conservation area. Landgoed De Braak is a monumental 19th-century park designed by landscape architect Roodbaard. Its distinctive features include a hedge maze and a berceau: a covered walkway formed from interwoven beech trees.

At Drents Museum De Buitenplaats in Eelde, the focus is on Art Nouveau. It grew out of the Drents Museum’s art collection in Assen from around 1900. The complex includes a museum garden, the Oranjerie, Brasserie Röling and the remarkable 17th-century Nijsinghhuis, whose murals were painted by northern figurative artists. Vosbergen offers a different museum experience, with a collection of around 1,000 musical instruments. Visitors receive a headset and can explore the collection at their own pace; check before your visit whether this is available.

The Internationaal Klompenmuseum offers tours for individual visitors or small groups; availability depends on staffing. A video presentation shows how wooden clogs are made by hand and by machine. The De Wachter museum complex includes four working steam engines, which may occasionally be unavailable for maintenance. In Eelde, the archaeological monument De Waterburcht marks the site of a motte, a castle on a raised mound. The likely residents were the Schulten, or Schouten, of Eelde, who dispensed justice in this part of Drenthe during the 13th and 14th centuries.

Speelpark Sprookjeshof in Zuidlaren also offers a variety of experiences: the park has indoor and outdoor playgrounds, a fairytale forest with different scenes to walk through, and a petting zoo with goats, alpacas and deer. Facilities and animal species may change; check the latest information before your visit. At Hunebed D6, all the large stones remain exactly where they were placed more than 5,000 years ago. The megalithic tomb is somewhat harder to reach by car, so check the road and access conditions before setting out.

Plan a Stay That Suits You

Compare the specific places you want to visit with the accommodation you are considering. This can help you tailor your stay to the experiences that matter most to you.

Discover more destinations: Eelderwolde, Midlaren, Zeegse, Zuidlaren, Paterswolde, Tynaarlo, Vries, Eelde.

For the broader travel overview: Drenthe.