Cycling through the Drents-Friesewold National Park and Dwingelderveld

Imagine yourself far from civilization among the rolling heathlands, more than sixty ponds and fens, drifting sands, and forests in the largest wet heathland in Western Europe. Dwingelderveld National Park is unique in size and remarkable in its flora and fauna. In addition to typical heathland plants—heath, bell heather, crowberry, and sundew—you'll encounter the rare bog asphodel and marsh gentian. These are surrounded by almost three hundred different bird species, many of which also breed in the area. Butterflies flutter from one flowering shrub to the next, and it is therefore the last place in the Netherlands where the extremely rare bog butterflies still occur. The wet heathland is home to almost all Dutch reptiles, and the adder, the smooth snake, and the grass snake are no exception, while shy deer hide among the trees. You can also encounter more domesticated animals, as herds of heathland sheep roam the area.

On the border of Drenthe and Friesland lies beautiful, vast forests, heathland, drifting sands, and tranquil stream valley grasslands: the Drents-Friese Wold National Park. After the Veluwe, it is the largest contiguous forest in the Netherlands. The symbol of this magnificent woodland is the black woodpecker. If you're lucky, you might spot this beautiful little bird in the forest; you'll often hear its drumming. Accompanied by its enthusiastic drumming on the tree trunks, your bike ride will instantly become more atmospheric.

Also visit a former country estate in Dwingeloo, Drenthe. Oldengaerde is one of four manors in or near this town and dates back to the early fifteenth century. At that time, Reynolt van Echten commissioned the construction of a rectangular house surrounded by a moat on three sides. Since 2004, the house and its surrounding large gardens have been listed as national monuments.