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Discover our tips for the surrounding area of Hooghalen
- Enjoy the Drenthe countryside
- Ideal for cycling and walking
- Visit Assen, Groningen and Emmen
- Fun family parks nearby
You can do many fun activities in the area around Hooghalen during your stay at Summio Landgoed Het Grote Zand. Enjoy long walks or bike rides through the unspoilt Drenthe countryside, explore charming cities such as Assen, Groningen and Emmen or go on fun outings to places like Speelpark Sprookjeshof, Drouwenerzand or the Hunebed Centre. Read our tips for an unforgettable holiday below!

Walking and cycling in Het Groote Zand nature reserve
You can walk straight into the beautiful countryside from your holiday home at Summio Landgoed Het Grote Zand. Explore the vast heathlands and forests of Boswachterij Hooghalen. See the heath turn purple in summer, while you will encounter warm autumn colours later in the year. You can walk or cycle for hours through the countryside in the direct vicinity of our holiday park. Drenthe is justifiably known as one of the most beautiful provinces in the Netherlands.
Tip: hire a bike, electric bike or e-chopper from the bike hire to explore the surrounding area.

Visit Herinneringscentum Westerbork - Westerbork Memorial
Westerbork Memorial is only a 5-minute cycle from Summio Landgoed Het Grote Zand. Here you learn more about the history of the former refugee camp Camp Westerbork, the Second World War and the stories of the Jewish refugees who were detained here. The museum regularly organises theatre shows, readings and exhibitions.
Enjoy a day trip to the city of Assen
A trip to Assen is highly recommended during your stay at Summio Landgoed Het Grote Zand! Assen is a 15-minute drive from the park. If you'd rather go on a bike ride, then the charming capital of Drenthe is only a 30-minute cycle. Assen has a lively city centre with many shops, charming restaurants and green squares. Be sure to visit the interesting Drents Museum, where you will be immersed in Drenthe's history, culture and art.

Go on safari at WILDLANDS Adventure Zoo
Go to WILDLANDS Adventure Zoo in Emmen for an unforgettable safari, at only a 30-minute drive from the park. Here, you can admire more than 250 animals from across the world, including elephants, lions, giraffes, polar bears and numerous exotic bird species. The park is divided into themed sections: Jungola, Serenga and Nortica. You can also explore the underwater world and enjoy educational shows. A great day out for all ages!
Explore Emmen and surrounding area
Emmen is a lively city with a charming city centre, which is great for shopping. Emmen is also known for WILDLANDS Adventure Zoo where you can marvel at many animal species from across the world in a single day. Ready to sample some culture? Then explore the various museums and places of interest that fill Emmen, such as the Museum of Contemporary Tibetan Art and the artwork De Stip. There are also stunning nature reserves in the area around Emmen, where you can see things like dolmens, such as the Veenpark and Bargerveen. Perfect for nature lovers and walkers.
Visit vibrant Groningen
Make sure to visit the city of Groningen for a day! This city is known for its lively atmosphere and historic charm. Visit Groninger Museum where you can admire distinctive modern architecture and various art collections, explore the amazing Martinitoren for panoramic views of the city and enjoy the friendly atmosphere on the Grote Markt, where you will find numerous restaurants, bars and shops. The Noordelijk Scheepvaartmuseum and the University Museum offer interesting insights into the maritime and scientific history of the city. In short, Groningen is a versatile city well worth visiting during your holiday!

Go on an adventure at the Boomkroonpad
The Boomkroonpad outdoor centre in the stunning Drouwen forest is a 20-minute drive from the holiday park. Here, you literally walk through the treetops on an elevated bridge, giving you breathtaking views of the forest. The highest point is the watchtower at 22.5 metres altitude! During this adventurous outing, you learn about the plants and animals living here. It's a great activity for both nature lovers as well as families looking for a fun and educational day out!

Marvel at the largest dolmen in the Netherlands
Dive into the prehistoric world at the Hunebed Centre! Here, you can visit the exhibition and the Prehistoric Park or admire the largest dolmen in the Netherlands. Did you know that the dolmens are older than the pyramids in Egypt and Stonehenge? The largest stone of this massive dolmen weighs more than 20 tonnes! It is astonishing that these enormous boulders were relocated from Finland and Sweden to the Netherlands during the Ice Age more than 150,000 years ago. A must visit during your stay in Drenthe.

Discover the best family parks, such as Drouwenerzand
Drouwenerzand Amusement Park is a 30-minute drive from Summio Landgoed Het Grote Zand. Young and old will have a fabulous day out here! Another recommendation is Slagharen Amusement Park. This family park has it all, from thrilling rollercoasters to child friendly windmills. If you want even more family outings, we highly recommend Speelpark Sprookjeshof, an enchanting family park with a magical fairy-tale forest, indoor play area and a large park playground. Plopsa Indoor Coevorden is a great family day out with thrilling attractions in the style of Plopsa figures, such as The Smurfs and 'Kabouter Plop' (Plop the gnome). In Kabouterland, you spend a day in a real gnome village and the youngest guest can have lots of fun in the playgrounds.
Other fun excursions near Hooghalen
There are of course many more fun excursions to enjoy in the area! Explore the stunning countryside by horse via Manege Les Chevaux or visit Sheepfold Exloo. At Papiliorama Butterfly Paradise, you can admire the exotic, colourful butterflies from across the globe. You can enjoy the best excursions in the region with all ages, so you can make unforgettable memories during your holiday at Summio Landgoed Het Grote Zand.