Norg is a picturesque village in the north of Drenthe. Characteristic with a real 'brink' where, of course, the church is the focal point. The village with less than 3,000 inhabitants is a real tourist attraction. Many 'taverns' where you can relax after a ride in the sun. If you have a nice cycle route in North Drenthe is looking for, then as far as I'm concerned you can make a good start in Norg. Not for nothing is the village also the starting point for the famous 'Veldslag om Norg', a big MTB event in autumn. We rode two routes from Norg, each just in a different direction. This route heads south-west. Especially on a hazy spring morning, it is a beauty.
Forest trails and nature
Drenthe has many places that have been designated as National Parks or protected areas. It means you're going to encounter many beautiful places on a tour of this northern province. For this cycle route, we drive straight towards the Langeloërduinen. We ride along beautiful forest paths towards the village of Een. There is only one of these. Please note that the first part of the route is less suitable for large groups. So keep that in mind, this is a route for a group of max 3-4 riders.
Colonies of Weldadigheid
From Een, it heads towards Veenhuizen. Here you will find one of the Colonies of Weldadigheid. Once founded to give the poor a bit of a future. However, Veenhuizen was one of the 'closed' colonies. A prison, where even today there is still a 'disciplinary institution'. Veenhuizen is a living museum, with houses bearing names like 'Order and Discipline', 'Knowledge is Power' and Labour' or 'Helpt Elkander.' It does warrant more than one stop, so should it be on your route, take time for a leisurely drive down General van de Boschweg and a visit to the prison museum. Historically very interesting. Should you start and end in Veenhuizen, do so at Maalluist.
Fochteloo - Fochteloerveen
Once past the colony, you pass through the 'work' the nurses (a nice euphemism) have laid out in the colony. Fochteloo and the Fochteloerveen are an exception. Beautiful nature, real moorland, with beautiful shades of colour and where you can still spot beautiful birds. Such a stretch is a must on a cycle route through Drenthe. We ride towards it on the border of Friesland and Drenthe. The Drentseweg is beautiful. Only downside is that cars are also allowed to drive through it. That is just too bad.
Through this beautiful nature reserve, you turn towards Ravenswoud. This is typically a place where the reclamation of the peat is very clearly visible. There are all kinds of 'Wieken', the whole village was actually created because of reclamation/turf mining. We drive through the straight streets and via one of the wicks past the watchtower 'the seven'. From here you re-enter the province of Drenthe, heading for Bovensmilde.
Through the meadows
We ride for a while with a corner towards the bottom of the Fochteloerveen. Then we follow the long N-road back towards Norg. This is fine, although the variant that runs via Westervelde is actually better. You then turn left on the colony canal, take the first right and ride past 'the rascals', past the back of the largest ammunition depot in the Netherlands. Once in Westervelde, you can stop at Hunebed D2. Nearby is also Hunebed D1, near Steenbergen, which is actually slightly nicer. Via the Norg windmill, you return to the Brink, where you have a lovely terrace at 't Wapen van Norg. This gives you a nice 50+ kilometre round trip under your wheels.
If you want to add about 30km, you can head towards Oude Willem at Appelscha and then take in the Drents-Friese Wold National Park. At Diever, turn back up and ride along the blue lake.
Veenhuizen
This prison village needs some extra explanation. It is extraordinary to walk around here. Especially when you consider that this was a prison colony and when you consider that there are still 1,000 inmates in the adjoining prison. These are not the lightest of criminals. Other than that, so here you have all the monumental houses, with the specific painting and designation. The second asylum, which houses the prison museum, also has something special. The cemetery, also called ;the fourth asylum', has something special. The different believers and rank and file lie apart.
If you spend a few hours wandering around here, you can enjoy a beer at Maallust afterwards. The local brewery has a lovely tavern, where you can also Peeps and Paupers finds, with really good chips and homemade croquettes. There is also Kaaslust for cheese lovers. Football club Veenhuizen is next door. Would they have the best third half in the Basement League?
Want to stay a bit longer? Then sleep at Bitter & sweet, where you can also eat well. Klein Soestdijk is also a beautiful overnight location. Maybe a bad joke, but lock your bike properly.
Cycling route North Drenthe
Below is the route we drove. If you're looking for more inspiration, you'll find it via this article by local Nynke, who drove the VAM Mountain climbed.
