More than 35 prehistoric burial mounds have been preserved in the Tumulibos in Balloo. The Ballooërveld also offers heathland, walking trails and a 30-kilometre cycling route. When choosing Balloo as a destination, you can focus on archaeological sites or landscape trails according to your interests.

Heathland and traces of the past

The Ballooërveld is a heathland area in the municipality of Aa en Hunze. It is mostly covered in heath and grassy heathland, with occasional peat pools, pine forest and small areas of drifting sand in between. In addition to large areas of sand and heath, you can also see burial mounds and medieval cart tracks. The landscape therefore combines a variety of natural features with visible traces of the past. The burial mounds and cart tracks are part of the Ballooërveld’s distinctive landscape; the more than 35 prehistoric burial mounds in the Tumulibos are a separate destination in Balloo.

Walking and cycling

The Boswachterspad Ballooërveld starts at the Schaapskooi Ballooërveld in Balloo. A walking route through the Ballooërveld runs across the Noord Esch, past the Koebroeksveld and along the stream valleys of the Loonerdiep and the Smalbroekenloopje; it then crosses the Ballooërveld on the way back to the sheepfold. Several named landscape areas are therefore along the route. By bike, the 30-kilometre Rolderrug and through the stream valleys route passes through Balloo via cycle junction 69. The two routes have different focuses: the walking route passes through the landscape areas named above, while the cycling route is specified as 30 kilometres long. Cycling route details may change; check the current route before setting out.

Hunebed D16 and village history

The site of Hunebed D16 dates back to the Neolithic period. D16 is one of the larger hunebedden in Drenthe. A walk from Kampsheide leads to the hunebed in Balloo. The Balloërkuil, known in Drents as Ballerkuul, offers another example of natural and cultural heritage: it is a natural hollow in the drifting sand on the boundary between Balloo and Rolde and has become a tourist attraction. The village layout also tells the story of Balloo’s past. Balloo is a small, ring-shaped esdorp with a double triangular brink. The first settlement probably dates back to before the ninth century; the original character of the esdorp has been preserved as far as possible.

The flock of sheep on the Ballooërveld

The Ballooërveld flock consists of 400 Drenthe Heath Sheep and is the largest flock in Drenthe. The shepherd takes them onto the heath every day. The information board at the Schaapskooi Balloërveld indicates daily where the flock is that day. If you would like to plan your visit around the flock, you can take this daily update into account.

Discover more destinations: Grolloo, Vredenheim, Gieterveen, Anderen, Gieten, Nijlande, Gasselternijveen, Eext

For the broader travel overview: Aa En Hunze.