Geopark De Hondsrug
The area
The Boshuisje is located in peaceful Eeserveen, on the edge of the UNESCO Global Geopark De Hondsrug.
The area is characterised by forests, heathland, peatland and charming Drenthe village greens. From the cabin you walk or cycle straight into nature on an extensive network of trails. Five minutes away by car is Harwi Ceramics, a sculpture garden and lunchroom in Eeserveen. In Borger you'll find the Hunebedcentrum with the largest dolmen in the Netherlands, and in Exloo the sheepfold with Drenthe heath sheep. With children, head for the sabre-tooth trail and the gnome path near Exloo, the treetop walk in Drouwen, the Drouwenerzand amusement park and Wildlands zoo in Emmen. Swim at the Gasselterveld, 't Nije Hemelriek or 't Loomeer near Schoonloo. For a quiet day with a view, climb the lookout tower beside restaurant Poolshoogte in the Odoorn forest.
Briefly out of reach
The Buiten Bereik route near Drouwen starts twelve minutes away by car. Phone in the locker, nine kilometres through woods and heath, and a quiet place to sit halfway.
Image: Marketing Drenthe
Tips nearby
Great places to walk
Straight out the door into the forest, or a short drive to a special route.
Sheepfold Exloo
10 minA flock of Drenthe heath sheep that heads onto the moor every day. Lovely to watch them set out.
Treetop walk Drouwen
17 minWalk 22 metres up among the tree canopy, with an underground root tunnel.
Wolf trail Schoonloo
9 minA trail through the Schoonloo forest where wolves roam again. Along the way you learn to read their tracks.
Good with children
From treasure hunts in the woods to a day of roller coasters and animals.
Sabre-tooth trail
10 minA playful 2 kilometre trail through the Hunzebos near Exloo, following the tracks of the sabre-toothed tiger. Starts at Leewal pool.
Gnome trail Exloo
10 minA short, enchanting forest path where little ones can hunt for gnomes among the trees.
Drouwenerzand
15 minAmusement park with roller coasters, water rides and a large indoor play area.
Climbing park Grolloo
15 minClimbing and zip lining among the trees, for children and adults.
Wildlands Emmen
21 minZoo with jungle, savannah and polar areas. A full day out, rain or shine.
Swimming
Clear water with sandy beaches, all within fifteen minutes.
Leewal open-air pool
10 minHeated outdoor pool in Exloo with a slide and a lawn. Perfect after a day of cycling.
Gasselterveld
17 minClear swimming water with a sandy beach, surrounded by forest and heathland.
't Nije Hemelriek
16 minQuiet natural lake near Gasselte, perfect for a refreshing dip after a walk.
't Loomeer
10 minFree swimming lake near Schoonloo with a sandy beach, picnic spots and a kiosk. Dogs are not allowed here.
Culture, art and good food
Dolmens, a sculpture garden around the corner and a terrace with a view.
Harwi Ceramics
5 minA 20,000 m2 sculpture garden, gallery and lunchroom, just up the road in Eeserveen. Free entry and dogs welcome on a lead.
Hunebedcentrum Borger
12 minThe largest dolmen in the Netherlands, with a museum on the Funnelbeaker culture and the ice age landscape.
Ellert en Brammert
8 minOpen-air museum in Schoonoord about life in the Drenthe peatlands, with sod huts and a sheepfold.
Poolshoogte
5 minRestaurant with a terrace in the Odoorn forest, beside an 18 metre lookout tower. Three walking routes start at the car park.
Lucy's Inn
6 minEnglish cooking in the hamlet of Eesergroen, just up the road. Warm and personal; booking is wise.
Restaurant de Gaffel
8 minSurprising food in a Saxon farmhouse from around 1700 in Valthe, with a large open hearth at the heart of the room.
Herberg de Loohoeve
11 minA hearty bistro in a thatched Drenthe farmhouse in Schoonloo, with a terrace for sunny days.
The area in pictures
Woods, heath, water and the villages around the corner.