Dalen can be explored through its themed routes, cultural sites and landscape. Four themed walking routes each focus on a different subject: culture and history, nature, health and exercise, and agriculture and farmsteads. This offers a clear starting point for planning: consider whether you would prefer to explore historical sites, nature, exercise or the agricultural surroundings along the way. There is also a dedicated cycling route, the Regiorondje Dalen. Walking and cycling therefore offer two different ways to spend your time in Dalen.

Walking in Dalen

Most walking routes start at the Dorpskerk in the centre of Dalen. The Dalen walking route passes cultural and historical sites through the heart of Dalen and continues to the border with Coevorden. Its “Culture and History” themed route is 9.1 kilometres long. This combines a thematic focus with a specific route length, while the route also leads through the town centre to the Coevorden border.

Along the Dalen walking route, there are several information boards with images and a QR code. The QR code lets you listen to information on your smartphone in either Drents or Dutch. The boards add images and an audio option in two languages to the cultural and historical sites along the route.

The difference between walking and cycling

The “Regiorondje Dalen” cycling route is 35 kilometres long. That makes it almost four times as long as the 9.1-kilometre “Culture and History” themed route. Two specific differences can help you decide: the route length and the mode of travel. The walking route also has a cultural and historical focus; the Regiorondje is Dalen’s dedicated cycling route.

Mills, museums and other local features

Molen De Bente dates back to 1814 and is one of the oldest windmills in Drenthe. Volunteers ensure the mill can turn regularly. Molen Jan Pol offers a different cultural focus: it is an interactive museum with a particular emphasis on children. The two mills therefore have different characters: De Bente is a historic windmill, while Jan Pol is a hands-on museum. Plopsa Indoor Coevorden is also located in Dalen.

There are several ways to explore culture and history: the walking route passes cultural and historical sites, De Bente is notable for its history dating back to 1814, and Jan Pol for its museum format. This lets you choose between a route with a thematic focus and a range of named cultural sites.

Dalen’s surroundings also help define the area: they are characterised by esch fields and cultivated peatlands. The Drostendiep watercourse runs along the village. These landscape features and the watercourse add other distinctive features of the area to its cultural sites and walking routes.

Getting there and planning your stay

Dalen’s centre is easily accessible by car and train via Dalen station. If you are considering Dalen as a place to stay overnight, this is a practical factor when choosing how to travel. You can consider your accommodation and activities separately: first check whether the location suits your plans, then choose between the themed walks and the cycling route. This leaves room to tailor your stay to your interests without treating the different routes as interchangeable options.

Discover more destinations: Wezuperbrug, Coevorden, Gees, Oosterhesselen, Benneveld, Wachtum, Noord-Sleen, Aalden

Back to the main travel overview: Coevorden.