Surroundings

Venture into the heart of Frisian nature; shifting dunes, moors, and beautiful scenery like you've never seen in the Netherlands. Right in your backyard.

Would you prefer a more extreme holiday? No problem! You will find several mountain bike routes around the holiday resort, two of which can even be accessed directly from the resort.

Near Appelscha, you will find the nicest walking routes through beautiful natural areas. Walk short routes from 3 km long with the kids or let your dog run free on the routes in the Drents-Friese Wold or Dwingelderveld. Discover beautiful heathlands, forests, sand drifts, sheep herds and much more! Are you ready for a real adventure? Check out the challenging hiking route of up to 100 km long!

Designed by golf course architect Alan Rijks, the course has 9 holes with a par of 35, including two par-5 holes. Play in the middle of the green, just steps from your home.

As Brinckerduyn we have a partnership with the golf course. This allows you to play unlimited holes at a discounted rate during your stay. Just tell us when you want to go on the course? We will make sure you have the best experience!

When the weather is clear you can enjoy a magnificent view of the vast Drents-Friese Wold National Park. The watchtower, no less than 33 meters high, stands on the highest point of the Frisian mainland, a 20 meter high sand dune. In the distance you can see the cities of Leeuwarden, Groningen, and Coevorden.

The Drents-Friese Wold Outdoor Center of the State Forestry Administration in Appelscha is the starting point for many hiking, cycling, and equestrian routes and excursions. It is literally the gateway to the National Park.

Some 2,500 to 3,000 bottles of wine are produced each year by Wijngoed Havelte. Red wine, white wine and rosé wine. On Saturdays between June and October, they give a tour of the vineyard, and host tastings. Contact them in advance.

Perfect day out with small children. Race around the traffic park in pedal cars or get on one of the roller coasters, the bumper boats or the merry-go-round. Find out more on the website.

In National Park Dwingelderveld, some 800 sheep from sheep flock Ruinen graze. Watch the shepherd leave with his sheep from the visitor centre in Ruinen in the morning or see them return home in the afternoon. Activities such as lambing day and sheep shearing are also organised regularly.  Current departure times and activities can be found on their website.

Go for a day of climbing at the climbing forest in Appelscha. They have over 400 metres of obstacles and zip lines, up to 12 metres high! Booking in advance is handy. Afterwards, enjoy a delicious lunch or drink at the Outdoor Café.

At this museum, you will learn all about crime and punishment. Do you dare to sit in a cell? For children, there is a treasure hunt 'De vloek van Veenhuizen' and you can board the prison bus that takes you around the prison village.

Take a day trip to the village of Diever. Visit Hunebed D52 or the World War II hiding place. Get fresh flour at Korenmolen De Vlijt Oldendiever. In the evening, go for a delicious surprise dinner at Villa BlauwHemel, or dine at Restaurant de Sluiswachter. Diever is also the village of Shakespeare, where Shakespeare has been performed every summer since 1946. In the beautiful open-air theatre in the woods, Shakespeare is performed for several weeks every summer.

The Bosbad in Appelscha is a heated outdoor swimming pool, full of fun for young and old. There is a large family slide and diving boards. In the shallow water, small children will have lots of fun in the water playground. On the large sunbathing lawn you can expend your energy on two trampolines or on a large bouncy cushion.

Do you like an active holiday? Go ona cycling holiday in Friesland and discover several impressive nature reserves, such as the Drents-Friese Wold and the Dwingelderveld. Will you choose a short or a long route?