Plizio Visual Lab

Drentsche Aa National Park

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

park

Weather…

The Drentsche Aa National Park is a unique protected area in the province of Drenthe, characterized by its ancient cultural landscape that has evolved over thousands of years. Unlike many other national parks, it is a 'National Landscape' that integrates 21 villages and hamlets within its boundaries. The heart of the park is the Drentsche Aa river system, the only brook system in the Netherlands that has largely maintained its original, meandering course. The landscape is a mosaic of heathlands, hedgerows, forests, and traditional agricultural fields. The area is rich in archaeological treasures, including prehistoric megalithic tombs known as 'hunebedden'. Officially designated as a national park in 2002, its primary goal is to preserve the balance between agriculture, local living, and nature conservation. It has hikers and cyclists an extensive network of trails through one of the best-preserved historical rural landscapes in Northern Europe.

Location: Groningen, Netherlands
Top sights: Gasterse Duinen · Hunebed D10 Gasteren · De Schipborg
Nearby: Zuidlaren (5 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	2	3	5	9	13	16	18	18	15	11	7	4
Rain mm	78	63	55	40	60	65	81	85	65	70	71	78

📋 Practical info

🧭

Getting there

Access to this area is absolutely best via the idyllic and historic surrounding rural villages. The region has a very extensive and well-maintained network of cycling and hiking trails.

📅

Best season

The landscape is highly attractive all year round, but gives particularly lush green meadows in summer. In spring and early summer, there are countless beautifully blooming plants along the riverbank.

⛰️

Terrain & paths

The old cultural landscape is consistently very flat and therefore easy to navigate for absolutely anyone. The paths very often lead right along meandering streams, open fields, and historic farms.

🎒

What to bring

Normal, comfortable footwear and practical, weatherproof clothing are usually quite sufficient for a visit. A bicycle is absolutely well-suited to quickly cover the longer distances within this large park.

🅿️

Parking

Numerous parking lots are located in the welcoming villages right on the edge of the national park. Very often, there are also good parking options directly at the starting points of the routes.

⚠️

Safety

Pay close attention to cyclists who regularly share the paved and unpaved paths with passing hikers. Respect private property, as significant parts of the landscape are actively used for agriculture.

⏱️

Time needed

Visitors typically stay here for a period ranging from two to a maximum of four solid hours. However, with a rented bicycle, one can very easily spend an entire enjoyable day in the idyllic surroundings.

Geography

Coordinates

53.05000, 6.66670

Facts

The park spans a total area of approximately 10,000 hectares
It was officially designated as a national park in 2002
There are 21 villages located within the park's boundaries
The area contains several 'hunebedden' (megalithic tombs) from the Neolithic era
The Drentsche Aa river system has a total length of about 50 kilometers
Over 50% of the park's land is still used for active agriculture

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Zuidlaren5 km · NExplore →

Assen9 km · SWExplore →

Hortus Haren14 km · NExplore →

Borger16 km · SEExplore →

Roden18 km · NWExplore →

Groningen20 km · NExplore →

Scheemda24 km · NEExplore →

Beilen24 km · SWExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Start Destination Via (optional)

Overnight stops

Vehicle

Only stops with (optional): 💧 Water ♻️ Disposal 🔌 Power 🚻 Toilets 🚿 Shower

Sights in the town Drentsche Aa National Park (10)

Gasterse Duinen

Nature reserve in Drentsche Aa National Park, featuring sand drifts and heathland.

🌐 drentslandschap.nl

Hunebed D10 Gasteren

Neolithic dolmen (hunebed) near Gasteren, approximately 5000 years old.

De Schipborg

Manor house near Schipborg, surrounded by forests and meadows.

🌐 monumentenregister.cultureelerfgoed.nl

De Zwaluw

Historic windmill in the region, used for grinding grain.

Hunebed D7 Boswachterij Schipborg

Dolmen in the Netherlands, located in the Boswachterij Schipborg forest.

Kymmelsberg

Viewpoint in Drentsche Aa National Park, offering a wide panorama.

Strubben-Kniphorstbosch

Archaeological reserve with burial mounds and traces of early settlement.

Magnuskerk

Church building in Aa en Hunze, built in the 13th century with Romanesque features.

Galgenberg

Archaeological site, a hill historically used as an execution place.

Openluchttheater De Speulkoel

Open-air theatre in nature, used for performances and events.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

What is special about this national park?

It is an almost untouched stream and cultural landscape.

Can you go hiking there?

Yes, there are numerous marked hiking trails through heathlands and forests.

Are there historical villages there?

Yes, typical old Saxon villages are located within the park.

Where is the park located?

It is located in the north of the province of Drenthe.

Are dogs allowed?

Yes, dogs on a leash are allowed on most paths.

Drentsche Aa National Park: where is it located?

Drentsche Aa National Park is located in Groningen, Netherlands.

Drentsche Aa National Park: what is there to see?

Highlights include Gasterse Duinen, Hunebed D10 Gasteren, De Schipborg.

Drentsche Aa National Park: when is the best time to visit?

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.

Drentsche Aa National Park: why is it worth visiting?

The Drentsche Aa National Park is a unique protected area in the province of Drenthe, characterized by its ancient cultural landscape that has evolved over thousands of years.

View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →