Odoorn Forest

Right by Odoorn, on the ancient sandy ridge of the Hondsrug, lies a forest that puts you at ease the moment you arrive. Oak, birch and pine take turns, and through the trees a view over sweeping heathland keeps opening up. You smell the resin of the pines, hear your feet move softly over the needles and feel the bustle of everyday life slip away.

Forest and heath in one place

What makes Odoorn Forest so special is the variety. One moment you walk through cool coniferous woods where the light falls in stripes, the next you stand at the edge of an open heath that turns purple in August. In the wetter sections you find bright green moss and ferns. The area is managed by Staatsbosbeheer and is part of De Hondsrug Geopark.

The Sheep Park

In the heart of the forest lies the Schapenpark (Sheep Park), a heath that emerged after a heavy storm destroyed large stretches of woodland in 1972. Rather than replanting, Staatsbosbeheer chose to let sheep graze, and the heath returned. It is a lovely spot to pause and let the open space work on you.

Looking out from Poolshoogte

On the Boswachter Meelkerlaan you find the Poolshoogte tea house and observation tower, on a hill rising some 38 metres above sea level (NAP). From the tower you look out over the treetops and the heath, and after your walk you can enjoy a drink at the tea house. The waymarked routes start from the car park, so you can easily pick your loop.