Drents-Friese Wold National Park

The National Park Drents-Friese Wold covers more than 6,000 hectares and is the largest forest in the Netherlands after Hoge Veluwe National Park. Forests alternate with heathlands and shifting sands, lakes, swamps and grassland. There are lookout towers at two spots, so you have a beautiful view over the natural park. In Doldersummerveld you can look out over the heathlands, and in Aekingerzand you will see the plains of drifting sand.

Address:: Terwisscha 6a
8426SJ Appelscha
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Highland cattle and butterfly sanctuary

The varied natural scenery at Drents-Friese Wold National Park also boasts a great variety of animals and plants. Within a relatively small area, you will encounter forest birds, meadow birds and marsh birds. There are plenty of mammals, too. Roe deer, hare, rabbit, hedgehog, squirrel, ermine, polecat and even the rare pine marten live in the Drents-Friese Wold. The largest inhabitants can be seen in the south west corner, the domain of the Highland cattle.

Unique to the Drents-Friese Wold is the Doldersummerveld. The Butterfly Foundation has designated this area as the first butterfly reserve in the Netherlands. Here you can spot rare butterflies such as the grayling and the Alcon Blue.

Tours in the Drents-Friese Wold

The Drents-Friese Wold has a multitude of hiking, biking and horse back riding trails to travel in order to explore nature. For the adventurous, there are also mountain bike trails. Combine your stay in nature with a visit to Assen, Leeuwarden, Groningen, Sneek or Giethoorn. Near the Drents-Friese Wold you will find sufficient campsites, bungalows, group accommodations, hotels and guest houses.

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Nature reserves in the Netherlands

The Netherlands has no fewer than 40 nature reserves, 21 of which are National Parks and 20 National Landscapes.