Orvelte, Westerbork, Schoonoord

Step back in time and discover the Iron Age in Drenthe, a period when the landscape and people shaped each other. Cycling through this ancient area, you pass silent witnesses of a fascinating history. Grave mounds and ancient settlements tell the story of the first farmers and craftsmen, who revolutionised the world with their iron smithing. Thanks to their innovation, better tools and weapons were created, which changed their lives and the environment forever. The landscape of Drenthe, with its moors and forests, still exudes the atmosphere of those times.

An absolute must-see along the way is the Sleenerzand. This nature reserve is not only beautiful, with vast heathland and mysterious sand drifts, but also bears the traces of our Iron Age ancestors. Here you will discover prehistoric burial mounds and even remnants of iron production, such as lumps of ore and smelting furnaces.

And then there is Orvelte, a gem where you can really experience the Iron Age. At the Iron Age Farm, you step right into the daily life of thousands of years ago. Here you can learn how iron changed their world, how they lived and worked. Discover the Iron Age by bike!