Holiday apartment in Schoonloo: nature, trails and family experiences

Schoonloo is an esch village at the highest point of the Rolderrug, a sandy ridge running parallel to the Hondsrug. This means that the village can bring together a variety of holiday experiences: hikes, nature observation, cycling tours, water activities and insights into the history of the landscape. When choosing a holiday apartment in Schoonloo, it is worth weighing up your personal priorities between active routes, peaceful moments in nature and activities with children.

Hiking on signposted trails

The sixth stage of the Pieterpad runs for 24 kilometres from Schoonloo to Sleen. It starts at Café Hegeman in Schoonloo and leads through the Schoonloo forestry. Red-and-white posts mark the stage. This provides clear route guidance for anyone considering Schoonloo as the starting point for a longer day of hiking. Another type of route is the 7.5-kilometre Wolvenspoor through the Hart van Drenthe. It leads through dark forests and heathland, across wooden bridges over fen waters and through the valley of the Elperstroom.

Landscape between heathland and village history

The Schoonloo forestry comprises tranquil open areas and forests with distinctive plants and animals. With a little luck, you may spot a rare badger there. The 13-kilometre Schoonloo cycling route also passes through this forestry. If you prefer to travel on horseback, you can ride directly from the grounds of Manege Knollegruun into the extensive forests and heathlands of Drenthe's natural landscape. At the De Dennen nature campsite, you can camp amid heathland, forests, drifting sands and small heath ponds, surrounded by nature.

The cultural side of Schoonloo includes the Knapzakroute Schoonloo-Grolloo. It leads along winding sandy paths and through dense oak groves. Passing through centuries-old villages, it offers insights into former farming life; along the way, there are wide views over heathland, forest and meandering Tiefjes. Schoonloo emerged in the early Middle Ages at the intersection of the Coevorden–Groningen postal route and the road between Schoonoord and Grolloo. The village was first mentioned as Sconelo in 1328; around 1500, the name was written as Sconloe.

Swimming lakes and family attractions

The Speelvijver 't Loomeer leisure area is located in the Schoonloo forestry on the road from Schoonoord to Schoonloo. The 7-hectare swimming lake has a sandy beach all the way around it and a sunbathing lawn. The water is no more than 2 metres deep, and the lake is considered particularly suitable for families with children. The Speelvijver 't Loomeer has toilets, picnic areas, ample parking and a bicycle parking area; the kiosk is open on summer days.

Near Schoonloo lies the Ieberenplas bathing area, in the surroundings of the Grolloo forestry. The lake is no more than 2 metres deep and has a large sandy beach. Walks into the adjacent forest and nature area start from Ieberenplas. Nearby, the Zandspeelplaats Grolloo offers opportunities for picnicking and playing in the sand. This means that, alongside longer routes, you can also find opportunities for a quieter day by the water or outdoors.

Choose a holiday apartment in Schoonloo based on your interests

When deciding between a holiday apartment and a holiday home in Schoonloo, the available experience types can provide practical guidance. If you are mainly planning hikes, cycling routes or horse rides, trails through forests, heathland and nature take centre stage. During a stay with children, the swimming lakes, sandy beaches, sunbathing lawns, picnic areas and play opportunities become more prominent in the daily itinerary. Anyone interested in regional history can take the village's development, its old name forms and the Knapzakroute into account. The different route lengths and themes can be compared, so that not every holiday day has to look the same.

There is also an annual event among the local activities: Beachvolleybal Schoonloo organises an annual beach volleyball tournament that welcomes both recreational athletes and ambitious players.

Discover more places

If you would like to discover more places for your travel planning, you can also visit Rolde, Grolloo, Gasselternijveen, Nijlande, Balloo, Eext, Nooitgedacht and Vredenheim.

For the overview of the wider travel area: Aa En Hunze.