MTB Dwingeloo
(23 km)
Discover the vast nature of Drenthe with the MTB route Dwingeloo!
This versatile mountain bike route takes you through one of the most beautiful nature reserves in the Netherlands. From the atmospheric village of Dwingeloo, you will cycle past dense forests, heathland and sandy paths that together make for a varied and sporty tour through the Drenthe countryside.
The route is suitable for both novice and experienced mountain bikers. Along the way, fast forest paths, narrow single tracks and technical curves alternate, keeping every kilometre surprising. Thanks to the beautiful combination of nature, challenge and tranquillity, the MTB route Dwingeloo is a popular destination for recreational cyclists and fanatical sportsmen alike.
During the trip, you will enjoy the peace and space that National Park Dwingelderveld is known for. Here you can experience Drenthe at its purest: sporty, natural and relaxed.
Parking
Parking is available at the forest lounge at Oude Postweg 12, 9417 TG Spier.
Signposting
The ...
Discover the vast nature of Drenthe with the MTB route Dwingeloo!
This versatile mountain bike route takes you through one of the most beautiful nature reserves in the Netherlands. From the atmospheric village of Dwingeloo, you will cycle past dense forests, heathland and sandy paths that together make for a varied and sporty tour through the Drenthe countryside.
The route is suitable for both novice and experienced mountain bikers. Along the way, fast forest paths, narrow single tracks and technical curves alternate, keeping every kilometre surprising. Thanks to the beautiful combination of nature, challenge and tranquillity, the MTB route Dwingeloo is a popular destination for recreational cyclists and fanatical sportsmen alike.
During the trip, you will enjoy the peace and space that National Park Dwingelderveld is known for. Here you can experience Drenthe at its purest: sporty, natural and relaxed.
Parking
Parking is available at the forest lounge at Oude Postweg 12, 9417 TG Spier.
Signposting
The route is signposted using white signs with red print of the international MTB sign (triangle with two circles).
Connection routes
Connection routes to other MTB routes are mostly indicated with a black print and sometimes with a two-colour print. Click here for all information on MTB routes.
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MTB Dwingeloo route sign
MTB Dwingeloo route sign
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Connection sign
Connection sign
You are going to see this
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Viewpoint Sheephead 'The Keep'
Viewpoint Sheephead 'The Keep'
The viewpoint the Schapenkop is built on the sound barrier in the Holtveenslenk. The viewpoint has been given the same logo as the National Park (the Drentse heath sheep). The structure is about five metres high, offering views over the area.
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Sheepfold Achter 't Zaand
Sheepfold Achter 't Zaand
For centuries, sheep have been helping people. In and around the Achter 't Zaand sheepfold in Lhee, on the edge of the Dwingelderveld, this is still visible. There is a happy union between the Drenthe Heath Sheep, the shepherd and his dog.
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Radio telescope Dwingeloo
Radio telescope Dwingeloo
The Dwingeloo Radio Telescope, opened in 1956, has been a national monument since 2009 and is one of the oldest and internationally most famous radio telescopes in the world. The radio telescope is located in a radio tor...
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Forestry Dwingeloo
Forestry Dwingeloo
Forestry Dwingeloo is part of the 3692-hectare National Park Dwingelderveld. The core of the National Park is wet heathland between Dwingeloo and Ruinen; the largest...
Description
Additional info
- This route is in the Dwingelderveld National Park; the largest continuous wet heathland area in Western Europe. You will find no fewer than 2 sheep flocks with shepherds. Besides heathland, you will also encounter woods and fens, with many unusual plants. You will also find rare butterfly and bird species.
- The route consists mainly of forest and sandy paths and is mostly unpaved. The route is best started at "Orientation Centre Dwingelderveld". You start here over fairly wide forest paths interspersed with nice bits of singletrack. After about 6 kilometres you pass a metal gate. Sheep and cattle graze within this area.
- Besides beautiful nature, you will encounter the Planetron (you can see film and star shows here), various works of art by artists all over the world and Infocentrum Lhee of Staatsbosbeheer (you can watch a slide show here) along the way. The northern part of the route is a lot flatter and mainly involves long, wide forest paths or small sections of singletrack. In the northernmost part of the route, the route parallels the A28 motorway for a bit, which you can see between the trees on your left. After some more wide paths and a few bits of singletrack, you're back at the info centre after 23 kilometres. As the Dwingelderveld National Park attracts a lot of tourism, you occasionally cross hiking and bridle paths. The route is not difficult. It is therefore easy to combine with other routes in Drenthe.
- Jens Dekker, road cyclist and cyclo-cross rider "I regularly use this mountain bike route as part of my training. It is a perfect route for novice cyclists, as it is not very technical. I can ride at a good pace here, but meanwhile I also enjoy the Dwingelderveld and like to look over the moors for a while."