Holiday apartment in Balloo: heathland, history and trails

Balloo combines the form of a small esdorp with heathland, prehistoric traces and a variety of paths. The village is laid out in a ring and has a double triangular brink; at the same time, its original character is preserved as far as possible. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Balloo, you will find an appeal here that arises from village history, nature observation and active exploration.

Heathland, sand and traces of history

The Ballooërveld is a heathland landscape in the municipality of Aa en Hunze. Large expanses of sand and heath characterize the area, interspersed with isolated peat lakes, pine forest and small sand drifts. Burial mounds and medieval cart tracks can also be seen on the Ballooërveld. For planning your day, this creates a landscape where open spaces and visible evidence of earlier times stand side by side.

Hiking around Balloo

The Ballooërveld hiking route runs across the Noord Esch, along the Koebroeksveld and the stream valleys of the Loonerdiep and the Smalbroekenloopje. It then continues across the Ballooërveld back to the sheepfold. The Boswachterspad Ballooërveld starts at the Schaapskooi Ballooërveld in Balloo. Another walk leads from Kampsheide to Hunebed D16 in Balloo. An unpaved road also leads from the Lienstukkenweg to this hunebed.

Hunebeds and Balloërkuil

The area containing Hunebed D16 has been dated to the Neolithic period, and D16 is one of the larger hunebeds in Drenthe. More than 35 prehistoric burial mounds have been preserved in the Tumulibos in Balloo. Another distinctive destination is the Balloërkuil. In the Drents language, it is called Ballerkuul. This natural depression in the blown sand lies on the boundary between Balloo and Rolde and has developed into a tourist attraction. The first settlement of Balloo probably dates back to before the ninth century.

The Balloërveld sheep flock

The sheep flock of the Balloërveld is part of the landscape. It consists of 400 Drenthe heath sheep and is the largest flock in Drenthe. The shepherd takes the flock onto the heathland every day. At the Schaapskooi Balloërveld, an information board indicates each day where the flock is located that day. The tradition surrounding the special experience of the Balloërveld is intended to be preserved for future generations.

Balloo as a starting point for planning your trip

Balloo can also be included in your plans by bicycle: the 30-kilometre Rolderrug and Stream Valleys cycling route passes through Balloo via cycle junction 69. When choosing your holiday apartment, you can therefore consider whether you would like to focus on hiking, cycling, historical destinations or nature observation. The different route lengths and landscapes help you determine the desired daily rhythm for your accommodation in Balloo.

Other places in this selection: Anloo, Annen, Rolde, Grolloo, Schoonloo, Gieten, Eext, Gasselte

To the higher-level travel overview: Aa En Hunze.