Diever: Hiking, Prehistory and Shakespeare

Nature and culture in Diever

Diever lies on the edge of Drents-Friese Wold National Park. Forests, heathland and drifting sand areas are directly accessible from the town. Hiking, cycling, mountain biking and horse riding are all possible nearby. There are also the prehistoric themes of the OERmuseum and the open-air theatre’s Shakespeare tradition. This gives you a choice of different focuses when planning your visit: landscape and outdoor activities, archaeological traces or culture on stage.

Trails through landscape and history

In Drents-Friese Wold, the Hunebed hiking route passes a hunebed (megalithic tomb) and a preserved esch, or ancient arable land. The route thus brings together two distinct traces: a megalithic monument and a traditional form of agricultural land use. If you would like to pay attention to these historical features as well as the landscape on a hike, the route offers a specific focus.

The “Sporen zoeken met de vader van de Hunebedden” hiking route starts and ends at the OERmuseum. When hikers reach a point of interest, the app’s audio commentary plays automatically. This distinguishes the tour from the Hunebed hiking route: here, digital audio accompanies the stops, while the hunebed and the esch are the focus along the other route. App content and route conditions may change; check both before setting out.

The 46-kilometre Drents-Friese Wold cycling route starts at the Tourist Information Office in Diever. Check route conditions and signage before setting off. The themed cycling route “Sporen uit de Tweede Wereldoorlog” offers a different perspective. In November 2025, the province described it as a route through Diever that combines cycling with wooded areas, monuments and hiding places associated with the Second World War. Also check the signage and digital access before your ride. This lets you compare the specific route length and starting point of one route with the historical theme of the other.

Prehistory at the OERmuseum

The OERmuseum Diever presents prehistory from the last Ice Age through the Bronze and Iron Ages. Archaeological finds and dioramas in the Schultehuus make up the exhibition. Its timespan therefore extends from the Ice Age through two successive metal ages; a visit places the finds and displays within this broad historical framework.

The museum also has its own outdoor activities: it runs cycling and walking tours past megalithic tombs, burial mounds and prehistoric farmsteads. You can therefore distinguish the exhibition in the Schultehuus from these tours, which pass prehistoric sites. Individual dates and tour availability may vary. Workshops and lectures are also offered; the programme may change seasonally.

Shakespeare in the open-air theatre

The open-air theatre in Diever has been staging Shakespeare in a woodland setting since 1946. The Shakespeare Theatre Diever includes a replica of London’s Globe Theatre. The woodland setting and the Globe replica offer different points of interest: the surroundings of the performances and the connection to the well-known theatre building.

Guided behind-the-scenes tours include the area beneath the stage, the workshop for costumes and sets, and the Globe Theatre. They therefore complement the view of the performances with the work and stage areas mentioned above. The seasonal schedule for the tours may change; check the dates if you are planning a guided visit.

Travelling by bus

In Diever, bus routes 20 to Steenwijk and 28 to Meppel and Assen stop. If you would like to combine a bus journey with walks, routes or a visit to the cultural attractions, checking the connections can help you plan your day. Check the timetable before travelling, as bus times may change.

Discover more destinations: Oude Willem, Zorgvlied, Havelte, Doldersum, Vledder, Wapserveen, Nijensleek, Frederiksoord.

For the overview of the wider area: Westerveld.