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The Netherlands🇳🇱 | national parksDrents-Friese WoldAekingerzand, Boschberg heath, brook valley, forest paths | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Drents-Friese Wold
👍 Recommendednational park ranked #13
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 15, 2026

The first thing I noticed stepping off the bus at Appelscha was the smell of warm pine needles and the crunch of gravel under my boots, long before any view appeared. Drents-Friese Wold straddles the Drenthe and Friesland border in the north of the Netherlands. It is flat, forested and quiet, with heath, drift sand and brook valleys, but no big climbs or dramatic wildlife like the Veluwe offers. Red deer and Highland cattle do roam, though. Buses thin out after dark, and weekend crowds cluster around Appelscha, so arrive early and carry a map, since signposting varies between sections.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #13 national park in The NetherlandsThe unique appeal for travelers

Backpackers choose this park because it rewards slow, self-guided walking without permits or guides. The Drents-Friese Wold spreads over roughly 6,100 hectares of connected forest, heath and brook valleys, so you can string together a multi-day route with a tent at a simple campsite or a cheap hostel stay in a village. Variety is the other draw: you can cross the Boschberg drift sands in the morning, follow the Wapserveen and Wapser brooks in the afternoon, and still reach a bus stop by evening. Compared with the more organized Veluwe, it feels uncrowded and open, and trails are easy enough for first-timers.

💡 HighlightsDon't-miss highlights and experiences

  1. Aekingerzand: A large inland drift-sand dune area near Appelscha, where wind-blown ridges and open sky give a surprising desert feel in a forested country.
  2. Boschberg heath: Purple heather blooms here in late summer, and the paths are quiet enough to hear woodpeckers.
  3. Wapserveen brook valley: A gentle, natural stream corridor with damp meadows, good for spotting birds and dragonflies.
  4. Fochteloërveen edge walks: The bordering raised bog area is great for cranes and wide, empty views, reached by connecting paths.
  5. Highland cattle and grazing herds: Free-roaming grazers help keep heath open, and you will often meet them beside the trails.
  6. Diever and surrounding forest paths: Long, shaded pine and beech tracks that suit cycling or an easy day on foot.
  7. Bos- en Heidepad network: A web of marked loops that
… read more 👉
  1. Aekingerzand: A large inland drift-sand dune area near Appelscha, where wind-blown ridges and open sky give a surprising desert feel in a forested country.
  2. Boschberg heath: Purple heather blooms here in late summer, and the paths are quiet enough to hear woodpeckers.
  3. Wapserveen brook valley: A gentle, natural stream corridor with damp meadows, good for spotting birds and dragonflies.
  4. Fochteloërveen edge walks: The bordering raised bog area is great for cranes and wide, empty views, reached by connecting paths.
  5. Highland cattle and grazing herds: Free-roaming grazers help keep heath open, and you will often meet them beside the trails.
  6. Diever and surrounding forest paths: Long, shaded pine and beech tracks that suit cycling or an easy day on foot.
  7. Bos- en Heidepad network: A web of marked loops that lets you shorten or extend your route without retracing your steps.
If time is short, skip the longer forest connectors and spend your hours on Aekingerzand and the heath.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do near Drents-Friese Wold

Historical Canal Tour

Historical Canal Tour

4.9(78) 1h
From €21
per personViator
Groningen: Terrace Boat Experience with a Cozy Bar: 1 hour

Groningen: Terrace Boat Experience with a Cozy Bar: 1 hour

4.4(59) 1h
From €15
per personViator
Groningen: Terrace Boat Experience with a Cozy Bar: 1.5 Hours

Groningen: Terrace Boat Experience with a Cozy Bar: 1.5 Hours

4.4(43) 1h 30m
From €17
per personViator
Perfumery Exploration Workshop in Groningen

Perfumery Exploration Workshop in Groningen

5.0(26) 3h
From €75
per personViator
Groningen: 2 Hour Party Booze Cruise with Unlimited Drinks

Groningen: 2 Hour Party Booze Cruise with Unlimited Drinks

5.0(26) 2h
From €38
per personViator
e-Scavenger hunt Groningen: Explore the city at your own pace

e-Scavenger hunt Groningen: Explore the city at your own pace

4.3(28) 3h
From €31
per personViator
Discover Groningen in this Outside Escape city game tour!

Discover Groningen in this Outside Escape city game tour!

4.7(12)
From €28
per personViator
Groningen: Canal Cruise - open boat (optional) Audio Guide

Groningen: Canal Cruise - open boat (optional) Audio Guide

4.9(9) 1h
From €19.50
per personViator
Murder City Game with Live Game Supervisor in Groningen

Murder City Game with Live Game Supervisor in Groningen

4.6(9) 3h
From €23
per personViator
Groningen: Relaxing boat tour with unlimited drinks: 1.5 hours

Groningen: Relaxing boat tour with unlimited drinks: 1.5 hours

5.0(5) 1h 30m
From €35
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Seasonal considerations and timing

  • Spring (April to May): Best overall. Highs of 12 to 18°C (54 to 64°F), heather still brown, birdsong at dawn, days stretching to 15 hours.
  • Summer (June to August): Highs of 20 to 24°C (68 to 75°F) and daylight until 10 pm. Busiest on weekends and Dutch school holidays, with campsite prices at their peak. Ticks and midges are active.
  • Late Summer (mid-August to September): The heath turns purple, with highs of 17 to 21°C (63 to 70°F) and thinner crowds after school resumes.
  • Autumn (October to November): Mushrooms, red deer rut sounds, 8 to 13°C (46 to 55°F), and rain.
  • Winter (December to March): Highs of 3 to 6°C (37 to 43°F), only 8 hours of light, quiet trails and the lowest prices.
Book midweek stays for late August, when the heather peaks.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: fair for travelingFEBFebruary: fair for travelingMARMarch: good for travelingAPRApril: highly recommended for travelingMAYMay: excellent for travelingJUNJune: highly recommended for travelingJULJuly: good for travelingAUGAugust: good for travelingSEPSeptember: excellent for travelingOCTOctober: highly recommended for travelingNOVNovember: good for travelingDECDecember: fair for traveling
netherlands-national-park-drents-friese-wold
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🛏️ Where to stay?Where staying makes the most sense

The best base is a campsite or small hotel in the villages around the park, since there is no wild camping inside it. Dwingeloo, Appelscha, Diever and Wateren all sit at the park edge. Appelscha has the most options, including large holiday parks, simple campsites and a hostel-style group accommodation, and it is right beside the sand dunes of the Fochteloërveen side. Diever is a quiet village with campsites and B&Bs close to the Dwingelderveld edge. Dwingeloo suits stargazing and has a few guesthouses. Trekkers’ huts (trekkershutten) and small “minicampings” on farms are a good budget choice … read more 👉
The best base is a campsite or small hotel in the villages around the park, since there is no wild camping inside it. Dwingeloo, Appelscha, Diever and Wateren all sit at the park edge. Appelscha has the most options, including large holiday parks, simple campsites and a hostel-style group accommodation, and it is right beside the sand dunes of the Fochteloërveen side. Diever is a quiet village with campsites and B&Bs close to the Dwingelderveld edge. Dwingeloo suits stargazing and has a few guesthouses. Trekkers’ huts (trekkershutten) and small “minicampings” on farms are a good budget choice at roughly €15 to 30 per person. The nearest larger towns are Assen, Meppel and Steenwijk, all with train stations and hotels, though you will need a bus or bike to reach the forest itself.
Best hostels in The Netherlands


Best quality hotels in The Netherlands

👛 Costs (as of 15 October 2026)Typical daily expenses

A backpacker visiting the Drents-Friese Wold can expect to spend roughly €45 to 90 per day, with accommodation as the biggest expense.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entrance fees€0The park is free to enter and open all day.
Accommodation€15 to 40Tent pitches run €15 to 30 per person; trekkers’ huts and B&Bs cost €40 to 90.
Local transport€5 to 20Regional buses are €2 to 6 per ride. Bike rental costs €10 to 20 per day.
Food and supplies€15 to 35Supermarket meals cost €5 to 10. Café lunches run €8 to 15 and dinners €15 to 25.
Activities€0 to 15Hiking is free; visitor centers and guided walks cost a few euros.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🥾 TrailsPlan your hike in Drents-Friese Wold: routes, terrain, and sights

Walking here is easy, with flat sandy tracks, firm forest paths and short heath stretches. Most routes are best described as easy, and you can add distance by linking loops. Wildlife is the quiet bonus: red deer at dawn and dusk, Highland cattle, buzzards, cranes near the bog edge, and plenty of dragonflies by the brooks.

The park has a dense network of marked loops, so the most useful approach is to pick a start point and follow numbered junction posts and local map boards. A few typical options:

Aekingerzand loop
  • Length: roughly 6 to 10 km depending on variation
  • Duration: about 2 to 3 hours
  • Difficulty:
… read more 👉
Walking here is easy, with flat sandy tracks, firm forest paths and short heath stretches. Most routes are best described as easy, and you can add distance by linking loops. Wildlife is the quiet bonus: red deer at dawn and dusk, Highland cattle, buzzards, cranes near the bog edge, and plenty of dragonflies by the brooks.

The park has a dense network of marked loops, so the most useful approach is to pick a start point and follow numbered junction posts and local map boards. A few typical options:

Aekingerzand loop
  • Length: roughly 6 to 10 km depending on variation
  • Duration: about 2 to 3 hours
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Features: open drift sand, pine edges, wide views
  • Terrain: soft sand and firm forest tracks

Wapserveen brook walk
  • Length: roughly 8 to 12 km
  • Duration: about 2.5 to 4 hours
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Features: meadows, stream edges, birdlife
  • Terrain: mostly packed paths, some damp sections

For access, trains reach Meppel and Steenwijk, and regional buses run to villages like Appelscha and Diever, but services are infrequent, especially evenings and Sundays, so check timetables on 9292.nl before you set out. Weekends and school holidays bring cyclists and day-trippers, particularly near Appelscha; weekdays are calmer. The park is free to enter, though paid parking and some attractions have separate fees.
⚠️ Hiking info can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate. Before you hit the trail, check the latest conditions with locals. If you do spot anything that's off, I'd love to hear from you, so I can update it for fellow travelers.

🛡️ SafetyScams, Hazards, and Annoyances

The Drents-Friese Wold is flat, well signposted and low risk. Paths are marked with numbered junction posts and colored routes, and a phone map works almost everywhere. The main nuisance is ticks, which carry Lyme disease, so wear long trousers in heather and tall grass and check your skin each evening. Adders live on sunny heath but bite rarely; watch your step and leave them alone. Sand paths drain tired legs, so allow extra time. Red deer and Highland cattle graze in places, so keep your distance, especially during the autumn rut. Dogs must be leashed. Fire risk in dry summers can close areas, so follow posted signs.
Check Country Safety

FAQFrequently asked questions about Drents-Friese Wold

One to two days covers the highlights, while three days suits a relaxed walking route. A day is enough for Aekingerzand and a brook loop near Appelscha, and a second day lets you add Diever's forest tracks. Overnighting in a village or campsite avoids rushing the last bus.
Yes, you can reach the area by public transport, but plan carefully. Trains stop at Meppel or Steenwijk, then regional buses run to Appelscha and Diever, often hourly or less, with limited evening and Sunday service. Renting a bike in a village makes the distances easy, often around 10 to 20 euros a day.
No, entering the park is free and there is no general permit for walking or cycling. Paid parking at some lots and fees at specific attractions or campsites may apply, typically a few euros for parking. Wild camping is not allowed, so use official campsites, which commonly cost about 15 to 30 euros a night.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Dutch national parks near Drents-Friese Wold

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We 💚 feedbackSumming up the experience

The mistake to avoid is treating it like a mountain park and underestimating logistics. The walking is easy, but buses are sparse and signposts can confuse. Download an offline map, check the last bus, and carry water. Do that, and it’s a calm, flat escape. Skip it if you crave big views.

✈️ When did I visit The Netherlands?
Netherlands is my home base, so whenever I don’t travel, you can find me in this tiny spot on the globe. When friends from abroad visit me, it’s the time to actually explore my own country as a traveler.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in The Netherlands, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

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