This cycling holiday takes you through Southwest-Drenthe and Southeast-Friesland, a special area full of scenic beauty including forest, heathland, drifting sand and valleys. The routes go through among other things National Park Dwingelderveld, National Park Drents Friese Wold, the Fochteloërveen and past Prisoner Museum Veenhuizen. Along the way, you will pass several watchtowers, which offer a beautiful view. Below are the highlights of this cycling holiday.

National Park Dwingelderveld
National Park Dwingelderveld is the largest wet heathland in Western Europe. Here, you will find rare animals and plants. The route passes the Dwingelderveld visitor center, just outside the cosy village of Ruinen. This visitor center offers a permanent exhibition about the origin and management of the valuable heath landscape. In addition, there are often changing exhibitions and there is a butterfly- and herb garden, an apiary and a bee hotel.

National Park Drents- Friese Wold
National Park Drents- Friese Wold is a special area on the border of Southwest-Drenthe and Southeast-Friesland. You will cycle through 6.000 hectares of forest, heathland, drifting sand and valleys. This area is one of the most beautiful and important nature reserves of Europe and was therefore designated as a Natura2000 area.

The Fochteloërveen
The Fochteloërveen is an area with a rich cultural history. It is known for its silence, beautiful cloudy sky and breathtaking views. Watchtower De Zeven offers a beautiful view of the vast moorland area. In this wet area, you will find among other things cranes, the whinchats and stonechats. In spring, the moorland turns white because of the fluffy woolly grass in the middle of the sphagnums.

The National Prisoner Museum

The National Prison Museum is one of the visitor centres of the Colonies of Benevolence. The interactive museum takes you through the history of crime and punishment from 1600 to the present day. Don't forget to take a surprising tour through Veenhuizen in the old Boevenbus. Tens of thousands of prisoners preceded you, as this bus was used to transport prisoners between residential and working institutions.

Accommodations

Hotel Hoogeveen *** | Hoogeveen
This hotel is located near the city center of Hoogeveen and is easy to reach via the A28. All 40 hotel rooms have comfortable boxspring beds, a bathroom with shower and/or bathtub and toilet. In addition, they have a TV, desk and free WiFi. In case of nice weather, you can take a seat on the terrace. The hotel has two restaurants, 1 with regular cuisine and YUME Sushi & Grill. In YUME Sushi & Grill you can enjoy the All You Can Eat Concept (2,5 hours unlimited choice from more than 100 delicious Japanese dishes. The hotel offers free parking places.

De Wapser Herberg **** | Wapse
The 4-star Hotel De Wasper Herberg is located in the beautiful wooded area of the province of Drenthe. A really cosy family hotel, where a lot of personal attention is given to all guests. Your hotel room has comfortable beds, smart TV with internet, radio, free WiFi, coffee- and tea facilities and a bathroom with toilet, blow-drier and a bath/shower. The accompanying à la carte restaurant, de Herberg van Wapse, is open all day long. The chef prepares French-Dutch recognizable dishes.