Holiday apartment in Ruinen – Hiking, heathland and regional experiences

The Dwingelderveld hiking route near Ruinen is a family-friendly 4.7 km trail. It leads across the historic Ruiner Es and through the varied coniferous forest of the Anserdennen. If you choose a holiday apartment in Ruinen, you can plan your stay around an immersive nature experience.

Hiking between forest and heathland

The Natuurpad Ruinen trail runs through the Ruinen Forestry and across extensive heathlands and “wild lands”. The Dwingelderveld hiking route starts at the Dwingelderveld Visitor Centre; red arrows mark the way.

For shorter or varying-length tours, the Dorpsommetjes of Ruinen offer five hiking trails ranging from approximately 2 to 10 km. The Kleine Pattiesroute is signposted, 2.6 km long and leads through and around Ruinen; it is not paved throughout. You can park there free of charge at the De Kaamp car park or at the Fietstransferium at Kloosterstraat 12. This range makes it easier to plan your day according to the distance and the terrain.

Exploring on foot and by bike

There is also a specific connection for cyclists: a new cycle link connects Ruinen with EuroParcs. In addition, the “Van Brink naar heide” walking connection was created in Ruinen. This allows you to tailor your stay to different forms of exercise and daily schedules.

Birds and sheep in the landscape

Ruinen Bird Park focuses on Dutch meadow and wading birds in a natural habitat. Among others, you can see black-tailed godwits, redshanks, curlews, oystercatchers, avocets and lapwings. The park also has aviaries with foreign and exotic bird species.

The landscape of Dwingelerveld National Park also includes the Ruinen sheep flock: it is one of two flocks that graze there and comprises around 300 Drenthe heath sheep. At the Ruinen sheepfold, visitors can watch the sheep set out or return every day. This creates a vivid nature experience for planning your trip.

Wine, local impressions and history

Wijnhoeve Runa combines the landscape with regional delicacies. In a park-like setting covering 2.5 hectares, it comprises three vineyard plots with a total area of 1 hectare. The varieties grown are Solaris, Souvignier Gris, Muscaris and Cabernet Cantor. On request, you can visit and/or taste wine at the vineyard; baguette and Brie are served afterwards. This is a suitable addition to a holiday apartment stay if food and drink are part of your travel plans alongside walking routes.

Ruinen’s history is also still present. The Brink originally served as a communal agricultural area: sheep were gathered there and then driven together to the heathlands. In 1139, Ruinen was a “Hoge Heerlyckheid”; that year, Otto van Runen received the rights from the Diocese of Utrecht. Guided tours and sales are offered at the Zaandplatte.

More destinations for your planning

Ansen, Linde, Ruinerwold, Veeningen, Echten, Koekange, Drogteropslagen, Zuidwolde

For the higher-level travel overview: De Wolden.