The Landscape

The Kop van Drenthe is a region not only known for its natural beauty, but also for its rich history. It’s a true journey of discovery, where every kilometer reveals a new face of the landscape. Shaped by the last Ice Age, the area offers a striking variety of scenery, from forests and heathlands to sweeping grasslands, raised bogs, marshes, and stream valleys. Historic manor houses, surrounded by moats, woods, and heath, create a picture-perfect setting that invites exploration. Hidden among the trees and farmlands are traces of burial mounds, urn fields, and prehistoric fields, silent witnesses of an ancient past that offer a fascinating glimpse into the lives of distant ancestors.

The Onlanden is a vast nature reserve of over 2,300 hectares, where water management and nature development go hand in hand. It’s a vibrant mosaic of marshes, grasslands, hedgerows, and old peat pits, each blending into the next to create a landscape full of character and contrast. The area plays a vital role during heavy rainfall, acting as a natural buffer that helps keep the city of Groningen dry. When rain persists, the Onlanden functions as a giant reservoir, storing excess water and protecting the surrounding region from flooding. It’s a wonderful place to explore, ideal for nature lovers as well as anyone interested in water management and the preservation of the Dutch landscape.

Bossen en Heide

Forests and Heaths

Rivieren en Beken

Estates and Heritage

Moerassen en Venen

Lakes and Ponds

Landgoed en Erfgoed

Rivers and Streams

Join us on this virtual cycling route

Virtual cycling in the Kop van Drenthe and De Onlanden

Route map

Start and finish near bike node 35 on the Brink in Roden. However, this bike route is a circular tour, so it offers the possibility to start from any of the following bike nodes.

35 - 75 - 74 - 71 - 59 - 51 - 79 - 77 - 14 - 81 - 82 - 58 - 17 - 12 - 11 - 2 - 9 - 3 - 25 - 35 - 29 - 37 - 24 - 73 - 34 - 35

56
Kilometers
223
Minutes
97
Elevation meters