Holiday apartment in Balinge: heath, sand and history

Balinge combines distinctive sandy landscapes, heathland and peat bogs with a multifaceted local history. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Balinge, you can consider the 7.5-kilometre “Dorpsommetje Garminge” route, the Balinger- en Mantingerzand and historical sites in the surrounding region as different focal points for your trip.

Heathland, drifting sand and peat bogs

Between Balinge and Nieuw-Balinge lies the Balinger- en Mantingerzand, an elongated remnant of heathland and drifting sand. The area features well-developed drifting-sand landscapes with pronounced relief, including parabolic dunes. Sand-covered peat bogs and sandy paths complement this landscape. The early settlement was therefore situated in a landscape where sandy soil and peat bogs were directly connected. Since 2003, the Mantingerzand has had the status of a site under the European Habitats Directive and the status of a Natura 2000 site.

The settlement’s history is also connected with this landscape. The first inhabitants of Balinge settled on higher sandy soils amid extensive peat bog landscapes. Balinge and Garminge share the agricultural and pasture complex of Garminger- en Balingerstukken. At De Pol, the place name “pol” refers to the difference in elevation and the high-lying location. For nature enthusiasts, the Balinger- en Mantingerzand is a landscape destination; Balinge’s medieval foundation also provides a historical perspective on the village and its early history.

Hiking and routes around Balinge

The 7.5-kilometre “Dorpsommetje Garminge” hiking route passes through Balinge; when planning your day, you can take walking time, individual pace and breaks for this section of the hike into account, meaning that the required time depends on your walking pace. Another connection is provided by the “Balinge - Mantinge” route: it runs from Mantingerdijk 7, 9436PN Balinge, Netherlands, to Mantinge, 9436PN Mantinge, Netherlands.

Boswachterij Sleenerzand is a park in the vicinity of Balinge. Boswachterij Schoonloo, Boswachterij Grolloo and Boswachterij Hooghalen are also parks in the vicinity of Balinge. The four parks complement the landscape themes of the Balinger- en Mantingerzand with additional destinations in the surrounding area. Mepscheren was once part of an old connecting road from Westerbork via Balinge to Meppen.

History and regional destinations

Balinge was founded in the Middle Ages as a daughter settlement of Westerbork. Balinge was first mentioned in 1383; at that time, the village was known as Bolingen and Balinghe. The Westerbork transit camp is a historical site in the vicinity of Balinge. The wider surrounding region also includes the Hunebedcentrum, a museum, as well as Kasteel van Coevorden and Oldegaerde, both of which are classified as castles.

This gives you a clear range of themes when choosing a holiday apartment in Balinge: you can focus on heathland, drifting sand and peat landscapes, plan a route through Balinge or explore the village’s medieval development and the historical sites in the surrounding region. This allows you to combine active and culture-oriented days without confusing the different characters of the individual destinations.

More places for planning your trip

Other destinations in the same overarching selection include Witteveen, Smilde, Beilen, Ruinerwold, Westerbork, Spier, Elp and Drijber.

For the overarching travel overview: Midden-Drenthe.