Drenthe

Part of Netherlands

Cycling in Drenthe: a gravel paradise with the best cycling trails in the North

• Drenthe is the cycling province of the Netherlands
• VAM Mountains, Huisman mounds and national parks
• Gravel routes to enjoy

• Dwingelderverld Nature Park
• Nature Park Drents-Friese Wold
• Drentsche AA Nature Park

Drenthe: one of the smallest provinces in the Netherlands, but the cycling province of the Low Countries. At least that is what Drenthe itself thinks. They have every reason to be proud too. Not only do you find the special artificial climbing hill VAM-berg, built on a waste hill, but also the Roof of Drenthe, which was later developed there. With 6300cm above NAV, this is the climbing hill of the Northern Netherlands.

But there is more to it than just the VAM mountain. You have the many national parks; there are at least three of them, and we don’t count Fochteloërveen. You have the history with the burial mounds; there is a good cycling culture in Norg and the surrounding area, thanks in part to the Slag om Norg and Veldslag om Norg events. Then there is the Bartje 200 and the Drenthe 200, and you can see that Drenthe is keen to build on its cycling culture. The Drenthe Cycling Four Day is a tradition for decades now, but for cyclists.

Drenthe is there and although they won’t be shouting it, we’ll be doing it for them. It’s a paradise for cyclists who seek peace, space and beautiful nature. For most suburban residents, it’s still a step beyond their comfort zone. But with one of the many accommodations nearby, spending the night isn’t a problem (and not an unnecessary luxury).

As mentioned, Drenthe is the ultimate cycling destination in the Northern Netherlands. If there is one thing that is clear, it is that you can have a great time biking here.

You can cycle all year round in Drenthe, but the best time is certainly spring, summer and early autumn. Now winter is also not a problem if you like mud biking, but the average tourist is looking for a little more comfort and less cleaning.

If you stay in Drenthe for more than a day (especially for non-Dutch readers/cyclists), there are plenty of cycling-friendly accommodations where you will feel completely at home.

We have often visited Landal Orveltermarke and Landal Hunerwoldstate ourselves. Both parks are perfect for a cycling adventure. Do you just want to spend one night there?

• Hotel under the Linden
• Hotel de Stobbe
• Van Der Valk Spier
• Estate t Wildryck
• Boutique Hotel Het Witte Veen

tips for cycling in DRENTHE

Tour of Drenthe on a race bike or gravel bike

You haven’t been to Drenthe if you haven’t climbed the VAM mountain or the adjacent Dak van Drenthe. On the bike, the VAM mountain is indispensable: three climbing routes, one descent, an average of 10% and even a gravel track perfect for climbing blocks. Combine this with the quiet, rolling roads around Gieten/Gieterveen; the Randje Drenthe Route of 64 km ticks all the highlights of the Hondsrug region. You’ll find it in our database.

If there’s one thing you can do well, it’s graving in Drenthe. Central Drenthe is perhaps the most suitable place for this. There are so many graving opportunities here that you could spend days there. From Orvelte, the region around Schoonloo is fantastic, Norg in the north is a perfect getaway spot, and from Dwingeloo you can tackle everything on the west side.

MTB riding is possible on all official trails: Assen (Baggelhuizen), Emmen, Emmen (Noordbargerbos), Exloo, Gieten-Gasselte, Grolloo, Sleen, Dwingeloo, Ruinen, Diever-Hoogersmilde, Havelte Oost, Havelte West, Kniphorstbosch (Zuidlaren), Zuidwolde Oost, Zuidwolde West, Drentsche Aa (Anloo), plus the four connecting loops “Rondom Dwingeloo” (North/West/South/East) and the short Bosberg loop near Appelscha. That’s too many to mention. And you can ride them without a vignette.

According to Drenthe himself

Drenthe is not called the bicycle province of the Netherlands for nothing: there are over 1,200 kilometers of cycling paths, and with the network of hubs you can create your own route. A few tips from drenthe.nl:

• The Van Gogh Bicycle Routes: three routes through the places in Drenthe that inspired Vincent van Gogh, with viewing panels and audio stories. They were voted the Best Cycling Routes of 2024.
• Routes with a story: along the largest hunebed in the Netherlands or the Colonies of Goodness.
• The Drentse Fiets4DaagseFor more than sixty years, in July, they tour the villages and the countryside for four days.
• The VAM mountain: three climbing routes, one descent and a dedicated MTB course.

Our routes in Drenthe

• Col du VAM from De Wijk: to the only real mountain in Drenthe.
• Gravel route through Schoonloo and Gravel Day 2: two gravel rounds from Landal Orveltermarke.
• Gravel through the Fochteloërveen: from Landal Hunerwoldstate, on the border with Friesland.

Our mountain bike routes in Drenthe

Twelve cycling routes through Drenthe and the outskirts of Overijssel and Groningen: from the VAM mountain, the only real mountain in Drenthe, to the Drentsche Aa and a 270-kilometer round trip along the entire province.

Gravel routes in Drenthe

Drenthe is one of the best gravel provinces in the Netherlands: forests, meadows, sandy paths and village-like towns. Four routes: two circuits through the Drents-Friese Wold from Appelscha, the Lebbestaok in the Kop van Drenthe and the Hunebed Gravel Highway along 47 hunebed sites.

Travel tips

Best time to travel: Avoid the summer months when you don't want to get caught in the middle of the tourist season. The spring and autumn are much more appealing for cyclists.

Traffic information: The roads can be busy in the high season (summer). Especially during events such as the four-day cycling festival and on hot summer days, you should think carefully about where you are going to cycle. Avoid the national parks around midday.

Bike touring overnight stays: Think of a bike touring overnight stay. For example, you can cycle to Drenthe, or if you live far away or are from abroad, you can head to an intercity station, such as Assen or Meppel.

When are you leaving?

Events in Drenthe

How do you get there?

• Flying: Fly to Groningen Airport Eelde. Bring your own bike; book a place for your bike box in time.
• By train: Easy to do. Convenient stations: Assen · Hoogeveen · Emmen.
• By car: From Utrecht you are in about 1.5 hours Drenthe.