Holiday apartment in Zeijerveen: Arboretum, peatland landscape and hiking trail

The Assen Arboretum is located in a cultivated peatland landscape around the hamlet of Zeijerveen.

Peatland landscape and plants from the Americas, Asia and Europe

More than 650 different wild-growing tree and shrub species from the Americas, Asia and Europe grow in the arboretum in their natural growth forms. The trees and shrubs are grouped not by species, but according to their origins in the Americas, Asia and Europe. This gives a walk a clear thematic structure: the regions of origin serve as a guide, while the natural growth forms draw attention to the individual trees and shrubs. The selection is therefore particularly suitable for visitors who want to explore the landscape and botanical diversity attentively.

Hiking with clear guidance

The “Arboretum bomenpark wandeling” hiking trail is almost three kilometres long and signposted with posts bearing pink markings. It is also designed for year-round hiking. Free parking for this route is available in Zeijerveen on Ten Oeverstraat at house number 11. This makes it possible to plan a day of hiking within a manageable timeframe, without limiting your stay to this one experience.

How Zeijerveen developed as a peatland landscape

Zeijerveen developed as a raised bog because a layer of boulder clay lying just below the surface obstructed water drainage. To drain and develop the area, the Asser wijk, which branches off from the Drentse Hoofdvaart, was extended into the Zeijerveen bog. As a result, the view alternates between woodland, water management and the historical development of the peatland area. For visitors who want to consider natural features and human interventions together, these connections give the landscape additional depth.

Fortifications, museums, castles and woodland areas in the surrounding region

The Van Galenschans / Poepenhemeltje fortification is located near Zeijerveen. The Boswachterij Schipborg park is also nearby, as are the Boswachterij Hooghalen and Boswachterij Anloo parks. Further afield in the region around Zeijerveen are the historic site “Westerbork transit camp”, the Hunebedcentrum Museum, Coendersborg Castle and Boswachterij Grolloo park. Alongside the peatland landscape, this provides historical and cultural destinations for a range of day-trip plans.

When choosing a holiday apartment in Zeijerveen, you can therefore first decide which daily rhythm appeals to you: a walk through the arboretum, a day in nature in one of the Boswachterijen, or a focus on a fortification, museum, castle and historic site. Travellers with changing interests can shift their focus between these areas depending on their plans for the day. The combination of a marked hiking trail, free parking and natural and cultural destinations supports flexible planning. This allows your accommodation choice to reflect your personal holiday mix of activity, discovery and landscape.

More regional destinations

For further travel planning, it is also worth looking at Assen and Loon.

To the higher-level travel overview: Assen.