Dwingeloo: Heathland, Stars and Village History

The landscape provides a clear criterion when choosing a holiday apartment in Dwingeloo: the village is located directly next to Dwingelderveld National Park, a large woodland and heathland area. The national park is considered the largest quiet, wet heathland area in Western Europe. This means that holiday days can range from peaceful nature observation to signposted hiking and cycling routes. A holiday house in Dwingeloo can also be selected according to such specific interests, without the village losing its character.

Holiday apartment in Dwingeloo for days in nature and on the trails

The Familiepad Noordenveld trail near Dwingelderveld is fully paved and suitable for wheelchair users and families with pushchairs. The trail starts at the Achter ’t Zaand car park operated by Staatsbosbeheer, next to the information board. At the Achter ’t Zaand sheepfold, the shepherd takes a flock of Drenthe Heath sheep into Dwingelderveld every morning. Dwingeloo also has very little artificial light, making it an ideal place for stargazing. This combination brings nature, animals and the night sky into your travel planning.

Hiking and cycling with clearly defined stages

Routes with clearly distinguishable lengths are available for different daily plans. The Telescoop hiking route is 4 km long and passes the Dwingeloo radio telescope and Smitsveen. The Dwingeler Ommetje Mars is a signposted 4.9 km circular route around the Brink in Dwingeloo. It starts at Sciencehub Dwingeloo at De Brink 5; the nearest bus stop is the “Brink” stop in Dwingeloo. For a longer cycling tour, the 46 km Dwingelderveldroute leads from the Brink in Dwingeloo through Dwingelderveld National Park. It is signposted with white hexagonal signs bearing green lettering. The different route lengths help you plan active days to suit your own rhythm.

Radio telescope and distinctive village history

The Dwingeloo radio telescope has a diameter of 25 metres. Because of its architectural-historical and scientific significance, it was designated a protected Rijksmonument in August 2009. Registration is required for guided tours; they last approximately 40 minutes. Access is via Muller House at Oude Hoogeveensedijk 6 in Dwingeloo, not via the information boards along the unpaved road.

Dwingeloo has a protected villagescape centred around a green Brink. The onion dome of the Sint Nicolaaskerk is popularly known as “de Siepel”; guided tours led by a guide are offered there for groups. Havezate Westrup was granted Havezate status in 1740 and has also been known as Westrup or Westdorp ever since. The Oldengaerde estate includes a house, gardens and woodland that are registered as Rijksmonuments. Visitors can register for a guided tour of the estate.

Further places for your travel planning

If you would like to compare places besides Dwingeloo, here are the direct destinations: Diever, Wapserveen, Wateren, Dieverbrug, Oude Willem, Doldersum, Uffelte and Vledder.

For the higher-level travel overview: Westerveld.