A trip to Anloo offers a range of discoveries: the Romanesque Magnus Church, trails through a stream valley and walks through other landscapes. Also worth exploring are Pinetum Ter Borgh, with its collection of conifers from around the world, and the megalithic tomb D11 on the Terborgh estate. Each offers something different: architectural history, a botanical collection, an archaeological monument and trails whose routes and lengths answer different planning questions.
Romanesque architecture at the Magnus Church
The Magnus Church is a Romanesque, single-nave hall church built of tuff stone, dating from around 1100. “Single-nave” describes a church interior without side aisles; “hall church” refers to the main space, which is laid out as a hall. The wall paintings date from the 15th century. The church therefore brings together two clearly distinct historical layers: its Romanesque construction around 1100 and its painted decoration, added several centuries later.
Megalithic tomb D11 and how to reach it
Megalithic tomb D11 is nine metres long and intact except for one missing capstone. It is on the Terborgh estate, near the pinetum. The route starts on the road between Anloo and Anderen: shortly before the Venn Gagelveen, a turn on the left leads onto a sandy track that ends at a barrier. From there, it is about a ten-minute walk. Allow time for this walk beyond the barrier as a separate part of your visit. As trail conditions may change, check access before your visit.
Pinetum Ter Borgh
Pinetum Ter Borgh Anloo is a unique landscape pinetum with a collection of conifers from around the world. This gives it a different focus on nature from the hiking trails: here, the conifer collection takes centre stage. The Stichting Pinetum Ter Borgh is responsible for preserving and maintaining the pinetum and opening it to the public. If you are planning a visit, check in advance whether access is possible.
Hiking and mountain biking
The Anlooërdiep hiking route runs through the valley of the Anlooërdiepje stream. The Anloo-Kniphorstbosch hike is eleven kilometres long; it follows the Drentsche Aa and the Anlooërdiep and passes through De Strubben and the Kniphorstbosch. The two routes offer different highlights: the Anlooërdiep route focuses on the stream valley, while the Anloo-Kniphorstbosch route, at eleven kilometres, can be planned around its length and takes in several landscapes.
Another option is the Drentsche Aa (Anloo) mountain bike route, which is 39 kilometres long. So hiking trails and a mountain bike route offer different ways to explore the area. When choosing, consider both your preferred way of getting around and whether you are looking for a hike with a stated distance or a particular route through the landscape.
What to know before your visit
As of August 2026, the car park at Homanshof can still be used; the information centre and Homanshof tea house are closed. Check for updates before you travel.
Discover more destinations: Eext, Balloo, Gasselternijveen, Schoonloo, Papenvoort, Nijlande, Gieterveen, Gieten
For the full travel guide, see: Aa en Hunze.
