Loon combines a distinctive village layout with stories from different centuries and landscapes in the surrounding area. Narrow, brick-paved streets and many attractive farmhouses shape the character of the village. Other features include a megalithic tomb on the Looneresch, the Looner Diep beside the village and the heathland of Balloerveld to the east. Village history and landscape thus offer distinct points of interest for planning a trip.

Brink, Streets and Farmhouses

The large, triangular Brink lies at the intersection of today's Asserweg and Balloërweg. Together with its distinctive shape, the street names provide a clear reference point in the village. On the Brink stands a transformer hut dating from around 1925, whose style is related to the Amsterdam School. The narrow, brick-paved streets are also part of Loon's distinctive character.

Farmhouses with hall-house layouts dating from the 19th century stand on Asserweg. The Krimpenboerderij Lente Festina on Balloërweg was built in the early 20th century. The farmhouse at Markeweg 2 is believed to date back to the 18th century. Taken together, these examples offer insight into different building types and periods, although the origin of the farmhouse on Markeweg is explicitly considered uncertain.

Traces of Different Periods

The megalithic tomb D15 stands on the elevated Looneresch, north of Loon. The site of the tomb dates to the Neolithic period, extending the historical perspective beyond the old farmhouses. Agriculture is also part of the village's history: the large number of farmers in and around Loon made it possible to establish the cooperative dairy De Volharding in 1896. The connection between the area's agricultural character and the founding of a communal dairy makes this part of the history especially tangible.

Landscape and Routes

East of Loon lies Balloerveld, with extensive heathland and old cart tracks that point to a history stretching back centuries. The Looner Diep lies beside the village and is part of the Drentsche Aa watercourse system. Kampsheide offers another way to experience the landscape: the nature reserve covers around 90 hectares and lies between Assen and Balloo. Kampsheide is also the name of a six-kilometre walking route. Seasonal conditions can affect walking comfort, so take them into account when planning.

For cyclists, a signposted, 23-kilometre circular route passes through the Drentsche Aa area and Loon. It can be started at any point and is suitable for e-bikes and touring bikes. Surfaces and access conditions may change, so it is advisable to check the current state of the route before setting out.

The two routes differ clearly in activity type and length: six kilometres on the Kampsheide walking route or 23 kilometres on the circular cycling route. This makes it possible to match the planned distance to your preferred way of exploring, without treating the different routes as one combined tour.

Discover more destinations: Assen, Zeijerveen.

Go to the main travel overview: Assen.