Cycling in Drenthe: gravel valhalla with the cycling climb of the North
Region at a glance
- Best time to visit
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JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecBest months for cycling: from April to October. For gravel riders, February-March and November are also recommended
- Highlights in the region
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- Drenthe is the cycling province of the Netherlands
- VAM mountain, dolmens and national parks
- Gravel routes to savour
- Distance from Utrecht (car)
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- From Utrecht, you can be in the province of Drenthe in 1.5 hours. Park your car in De Wijk, for example, and from there you can already enter the Dwingelderveld
- Otherwise, you can also ride to Spier (Van der Valk hotel) and continue from there on the gravel bike or on the road bike to the VAM mountain
- Most beautiful natural parks
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- Dwingelderverld Nature Park
- Drents-Friese Wold Nature Park
- Drentsche AA Nature Park
- Highest climb
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- Roof of Drenthe - 63m - at Drijber
- Most beautiful gravel strip
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- Through the Fochteloerveen - past watchtower 'De Zeven'
- Hidden gem
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- The woods around Westerbork - with history in mind
General
Drenthe: one of the smallest provinces in the Netherlands, but the cycling province of the low countries. At least, that's what Drenthe itself thinks. They also have good reason to be proud. Because not only does it have the unusual artificial climb VAM-mountain, built on a waste mountain, but also the Dak van Drenthe (Roof of Drenthe), which was developed later. At 6300cm above sea level, this is the climb of the Northern Netherlands.
But there is more than just the VAM mountain. You have the many national parks, there are (at least) three and then we don't count Fochteloërveen. You have the history with the dolmens, there is a good cycling culture in Norg and its surroundings, partly due to the events Battle of Norg and Veldslag om Norg. Then there is the Bartje 200 and the Drenthe 200 and you understand that Drenthe likes to boast about its cycling culture. The four-day Drentsche cycle event has been a household name for decades, but for touring cyclists.
Drenthe should be there and although they won't shout that loudly, we do it for them. It is a paradise for cyclists seeking peace, space and beautiful nature. For most suburbanites, it is a bridge further than they are used to. But with one of the many accommodations nearby, staying over for a night is no problem (and not a superfluous luxury).
As mentioned, Drenthe is the cycling destination of the northern Netherlands. If one thing is clear, it is that you can have a great time here gravellen.
You can cycle in Drenthe all year round, but the best time is still in spring, summer and early autumn. Now winter is no problem either, if you like mud biking, but the average tourist is looking for a bit more comfort and less cleanliness.
Should you stay longer than a day in Drenthe (especially for non-Dutch readers/cyclists), there are plenty of cycling-friendly accommodations where you will feel completely at home.
We ourselves have often stayed at Landal Orveltermarke and Landal Hunerwoldstate. Both parks are perfectly situated for a cycling adventure. Do you only want to sleep for a night?
Then check out these hotels and B&Bs
- Hotel under the Linden
- Hotel de Stobbe
- Van Der Valk Spier
- Landgoed t Wildryck
- Boutique hotel Het Witte Veen
tips for cycling in DRENTHE
Around Drenthe on a road bike or gravel bike
Most beautiful (and only climb): VAM Mountain
You haven't been to Drenthe these days if you've seen VAM Mountain or the adjacent Roof of Drenthe have not climbed. On the road bike, the VAM Mountain indispensable: three climbing routes, one downhill, average 10% and even a cobbled section perfect for climbing blocks. Combine this with the quiet, rolling roads around Gieten/Gieterveen; the Randje Drenthe Route of 64 km taps all the highlights in the Hondsrug region. You'll find them in our database.
Digging in Midden-Drenthe
If there is one thing you can do well, it is gravelling in Drenthe. Central Drenthe is perhaps best suited for this. There is so much gravelfun, you can spend days here. From Orvelte, the region around Schoonloo is fantastic, Norg in the north is a perfect base and from Dwingeloo you take in everything on the west side.
Mountain bike trails in Drenthe
MTBing is possible on all official courses: Assen (Baggelhuizen), Emmen, Emmen (Noordbargerbos), Exloo, Gieten-Gasselte, Grolloo, Sleen, Dwingeloo, Ruinen, Diever-Hoogersmilde, Havelte East, Havelte West, Kniphorstbosch (Zuidlaren), Zuidwolde Oost, Zuidwolde West, Drentsche Aa (Anloo), plus the four connecting loops “Around Dwingeloo” (North/West/South/East) and the short Bosberg loop near Appelscha. There are too many to mention. And you can ride them without vignette
Travel tips
Best Travel Time: Avoid the summer months if you don't want to be in the middle of the tourist season. Spring and autumn are a lot more attractive for cyclists.
Traffic information: The roads can be busy in high season (summer). Especially during events such as the four-day cycling event and on hot summer days, you should think carefully where to cycle. If so, avoid the national parks around noon.
Bikepacking overnighters: Consider a bikepacking overnighter. You can cycle to Drenthe, for example, or if you live far away or come from abroad, you can head towards an intercity station, such as Assen or Meppel
