A grain mill that is still operational, dating from 1787, a church with a core structure dating from 1652, and a signposted three-kilometre city walk offer concrete starting points for a stay in Hoogeveen. Those interested in the town’s history will find historic buildings, storytelling events and a meeting place with a long tradition. Clearly marked route lengths make planning an active visit easier, from the city walk to longer hiking and cycling routes.
Town history at specific locations
The grain mill “De Zwaluw” was built in 1787 by Roelof Steenbergen van de Velpamp. The operational mill, with an extensive shop, is located in the centre of Hoogeveen. It is open on Thursdays and Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; flour products are sold in the mill shop. If you plan to visit the shop, check the opening hours locally before your visit.
The Grote Kerk also offers a long view of history: a church has stood on its current site for almost as long as Hoogeveen itself; the core structure of the Grote Kerk dates from 1652. The Old Cemetery in Hoogeveen, established in 1829, adds another dated point of reference. Since earlier times, the Hoogeveense Markt has been a cultural meeting place and social hub for people from Hoogeveen and the surrounding villages.
Museum and historical stories
The Verhalenwerf tells the story of Hoogeveen through selected objects from the museum collection. These include sculptures, photographs, memories and multimedia: different ways of remembering come together here. The exhibition and temporary exhibition can be visited without an appointment during library opening hours. As these hours may change, it is best to check in advance. The Verhalenwerf programme also includes talks, guided tours, discussion sessions and other events; individual events vary.
The mobile experience route “Hoogeveen: vaart door de tijd” explores the vanished Kruis, the town’s major markets and the era of the Pullevaarders. For groups, the Historische Kring Hoogeveen organises guided city walks past historic buildings and monuments. One guided walk led by the Historische Kring starts at the historic crossroads of the waterways Hoofdstraat, Haagje, Alteveerstraat and Schutstraat, and ends at the Hoogeveense Kei at the present-day beginning of the Hoofdstraat.
Hiking, cycling and forest trails
The signposted Hoogeveen city walk is three kilometres long. The Van Gogh walking route “Nieuw begin” covers twelve kilometres and starts in Hoogeveen. At 50 kilometres, the “Vincents Aankomst” cycling route is considerably longer; it starts at Hoogeveen railway station. The marked routes can thus be compared by length and mode of travel. Along the cycling route, information panels tell visitors about Vincent van Gogh and his time in Drenthe; at some locations, there are viewing panels and audio stories.
The Spaarbankbos is a biodiverse natural area over a hundred years old, with oak and beech avenues, dark coniferous forests and winding woodland paths. The forest is freely accessible via roads and walking paths, and a route marked in purple runs through it. The signposted “Oude Diep” walking trail starts nearby at Hoogeveen railway station. It passes through the Spaarbankbos and the Boerenveensche Plassen nature area.
The Hoogeveensche Vaart can also be explored through specific points of interest: it has three locks, the Rogatsluis, the Ossesluis and the Nieuwebrugsluis. Visitors wishing to explore routes and attractions further can find Tourist Info Hoogeveen in the central hall of the De Tamboer theatre. It provides information about routes, attractions, day trips and events. Items for sale include cycling maps and routes, walking trail and junction maps, as well as the Drenthepad guide and Van Gogh cycling and walking guides.
Discover more destinations: Fluitenberg, Nieuwlande, Stuifzand, Nieuweroord, Tiendeveen, Elim, Pesse, Hollandscheveld.
For the broader travel overview: Hoogeveen.
