Drenthe Forest Route

Peace and quiet play a dominant role in this cycle route. A large part of the route runs through the forests of Hooghalen, Grolloo and Schoonloo, which were constructed after 1922.

Camp Westerbork Memorial Center
Impressive is the 'Herinneringscentrum Kamp Westerbork', where the history of the former Kamp Westerbork is told. The Melkwegpad, an educational walking trail that provides information about the Milky Way, starts at the parking lot of the Herinneringscentrum.

To raise
Within the Hooghalen forestry, the 'Camp Westerbork' occupies an important place. In 1939, the Dutch government established a reception camp here for German Jews who had fled. From 1942 to 1945, the German occupiers used it as a 'transit camp'. From here, captured Jews and gypsies were interned before being transported to the extermination camps in Poland. After the Second World War, the camp was renamed 'Schattenberg' and was used to house Moluccan soldiers. It was demolished in 1971; after that, the radio telescopes were installed. In the mid-1980s, the camp was redeveloped when the Westerbork Camp Memorial Centre was established. At the end is the famous Westerbork monument by Ralph Prins, the bent railway tracks.

Rotating Dishes
After the entrance gate of the former'Camp Westerbork\\\' you will see 12 rotating dishes of the Radio Observatory on the right. The other 2 are further along at the lookout tower.

Holmers and Halkenbroek
The Holmers and Halkenbroek stream valley is one of the source areas of the Drentsche Aa. In order to give the source area a natural character again, conifers have been cut down, ditches and watercourses have been filled in and the fertile topsoil has been removed. The Amerdiep in the
Holmers can now form its own course. In Halkenbroek the Amerdiep has been re-meandered. From the 14-metre high lookout tower you have a magnificent view over Holmers and Halkenbroek.

Esdorp Elp
The current esdorp Elp has a long history. The first mention dates from 1362. However, during excavations, farms, spiekers (a type of granary) and other buildings have been found, which can be dated to around 1000 BC. Near Elp lies the Elperstroom. Together with the Drentsche Aa, this is one of the most beautiful unspoiled stream valley landscapes in the Netherlands. Various rare plants grow on the poor soil and blue grasslands.

Esdorp Amen
The small esdorp Amen is already mentioned in 944. The name has no Christian background, but probably refers to a settlement on the no longer existing river Aam.

The Great Sand
As a change from all the forests and stream valleys, here lies the Groote Zand, a beautiful and partly bare drift sand area. People have lived here in prehistoric times. Remains have been found of 2 dolmens, urn fields and a burial mound.