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Discover Drenthe, one of the most rewarding cycling regions in the Netherlands
Leave the busy streets of the Netherlands behind and discover a very different side of the country on this six-day gravel cycling adventure from Groningen to Meppel.
Our journey takes us through Drenthe, one of the Netherlands' most rewarding regions for recreational cycling. Here, quiet country lanes give way to forest tracks, open heathlands, historic villages, waterways and miles of peaceful gravel roads.
Along the way, we encounter some of the oldest traces of human settlement in the Netherlands: the mysterious hunebedden, prehistoric megalithic tombs built from enormous glacial boulders more than 5,000 years ago.
This is cycling to be enjoyed rather than raced. Daily distances of approximately 40–55 kilometres leave plenty of time for coffee stops, villages, photographs and simply enjoying the landscape.
Guided and Selfguided
Cycling in Drenthe is a wonderful journey of discovery nature, past culture and through picturesque villages. Divided into 6 stages. Can be booked with or without a guide. An experience to remember and never to forget.
We offer you an example of a nice and varied programme below.
Itineraries
Day 1
Groningen - Anloo 45 km
Our adventure begins in Groningen, a lively university city in the north of the Netherlands. Soon after leaving the city behind, the urban scenery gives way to open fields, green countryside and quiet rural roads.
We ride through Eelderwolde, Paterswolde and Glimmen, following a mix of peaceful country lanes and gravel tracks towards Midlaren and Zuidlaren. As we continue towards Annen and Anloo, the landscape slowly changes and we come across one of Drenthe’s most remarkable sights: the hunebedden.
These prehistoric burial monuments were built thousands of years ago by the Funnel Beaker people, using enormous boulders that were carried to this part of the Netherlands by Ice Age glaciers. Today, they are among the oldest surviving man-made structures in the country and an impressive reminder of the people who lived here more than 5,000 years ago.
Our first day ends in Anloo, where we stay at the historic Koningsherberg.
Day 2.
Anloo - Westerbork 55 km
Today we head deeper into the Drenthe countryside.We cross the wide-open Balloërveld, a landscape of heathland, sand and low vegetation, before reaching Rolde.
The area around Rolde is particularly rich in prehistoric heritage.From Rolde, the route continues towards Gasselterveld and through the forests of Boswachterij Grolloo.
Forest tracks alternate with open heathland, creating some of the most enjoyable gravel riding of the tour.
Later we arrive at Orvelte, a beautifully preserved historic village where traditional farmhouses and cobbled lanes provide a glimpse into rural life in earlier centuries.
day 3
Westerbork - Diever 50km
Today we continue west through the heart of Drenthe.
The route leads towards the spectacular Dwingelderveld, one of the largest areas of heathland in the Netherlands.
This is classic Dutch cycling country: little traffic, wide horizons, forest tracks and long stretches of peaceful gravel.
It is a landscape that can feel surprisingly wild for a country as densely populated as the Netherlands.
From the heathlands we eventually reach Dwingeloo, one of Drenthe's picturesque traditional villages. Quiet roads and paths then lead onwards to Diever.
Our home for the night is Landhotel Diever.
Day 4
Diever - Frederiksoord
Forests dominate today's ride as we enter the Drents-Friese Wold, one of the largest continuous nature areas in the Netherlands.
We make our way through woodland and open countryside towards Appelscha, enjoying some of the finest gravel riding of the trip.
After Appelscha, the route turns south towards Vledderveen and Wilhelminaoord.
Here we encounter another fascinating chapter of Dutch history: the Colonies of Benevolence, nineteenth-century settlements established as an ambitious social experiment to combat poverty through agriculture and disciplined rural communities.
The landscape gradually leads us to Frederiksoord, where we spend the night at Posten Nordic Cuisine.
Day 5
Frederiksoord - Giethoorn 40km
After several longer days, today's ride is a little shorter, giving us more time to enjoy the scenery and destination. From Frederiksoord, we ride through Vledder and into the Holtingerveld, a beautiful landscape of heathland, woodland and open countryside.
We continue through Havelte and Darp, gradually leaving the forests and heathlands of Drenthe behind.
Then the landscape changes.
The dry forests and heathlands give way to water, canals and low-lying polder country as we approach Giethoorn.
Giethoorn is one of the Netherlands' most famous villages, known for its canals, small bridges and traditional thatched-roof farmhouses.
Often called the "Venice of the Netherlands," it is best experienced at a relaxed pace. Arriving by bicycle makes it possible to experience both the village and the quieter surrounding countryside.
Tonight we stay at De Kruumte in Giethoorn.
Day 6
Giethoorn - Meppel 45 km
Our final day takes us through the remarkable wetlands and lowlands surrounding Giethoorn.
We leave the village behind and follow quiet roads and gravel tracks through Muggenbeet and Nederland, continuing towards the historic former Zuiderzee town of Blokzijl.
From Blokzijl, the route follows waterways and polders through Jonen and Dwarsgracht, before bringing us back towards Giethoorn.
We then make our way through Wanneperveen and the surrounding countryside for the final kilometres of the tour.
Our destination is Meppel, where the adventure comes to an end at the railway station.
From here, the journey home is easy, with trains towards Amsterdam. It is also possible to continue your journey cycling the Dutch National Parks.
Included services
- 5 nights in double rooms (shower/toilet) in 3- and 4-star hotels
- Breakfast/breakfast buffet
- Tour briefing on arrival
- End of tour meeting
- Luggage transfer from hotel to hotel
- Tour documentation (tourist and route info)
- Breakdown assistance
- Hotline for assistance during tour
- Top-class aluminium Gravelbike
- GPX files with itinerary (per group)
- Equipment delivery at station Weesp; pick up in Zwolle
Exludes
- Travel Amsterdam to Groningen and return from Meppel to Amsterdam
- Travelexpenses
- Diners
- lunch
Please wait...
The 6 day Drenthe tour is a semi-guided (supported) or a privately guided tour that starts every day from april 1st till october 30th.
Privately guided tours
The privately guided tours are intended for people who come with their own group of friends or family, with a minimum of 6 people. We support you with a guide in a minibus for groups of up to 12 people. If you come with more people, we offer you the choice of a second minibus that follows the group or one minibus and a guide on a bike.
Semi-guided (supported) tours
If you are unable to find your own group of 6 people, we also offer you semi guided tours, where you will be part of a group with (some) other participants. This group is accompanied by a van, just like on a privately guided tour. Although there are more persons riding the same routes, this does not mean that you have to ride with the others as you would on a truly guided tour. You can feel free to go on your own, as with a self-guided tour, and the van will support you along the way. If more than 12 people participate in a semi-guided tour, a second van will support the group.
A semi-guided tour, like a private guided tour, requires a minimum of 6 participants. If there are fewer than 6 participants, the tour will be canceled and the deposit will be refunded. The final decision will be made 60 days before start of the tour.
You will stay in 3 and 4 star hotels. Comfort or superior room subject to availability.
Day 1. Anloo, stay at the historic Koningsherberg.
Day 2. Westerbork, stay at Boutique Hotel de Westerburcht.
Day 3. Diever, stay at Landhotel Diever
Day 4. Frederiksoord, stay at Posten Nordic Cuisine
Day 5. Giethoorn, stay at De Kruumte
Bikerental Alu Gravel Bike is included. It is possible to have an upgrade to an Carbon Gravel Bike or Hybrid E-Bike. You can choose the upgrade as a trip-extra in the booking tab.
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Canyon Alu
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Canyon Grail Carbon
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Hybrid E-Bike upgrade
