Go hiking or biking in search of treasures (geocaches) and discover this region which is brimming with stories.
While searching for treasures, you will pass by some of the most beautiful places in the Kop van Drenthe area. Seven different storylines lead you past dolmens, through bogs and woods, past lakes and stately estates. Are you going on foot or by bicycle? Would you like to find the caches by yourself, or do you prefer to find them with the whole family? It's all possible in the wholesome, fresh outdoors.
The Kop van Drenthe area offers more than 70 GeoTour caches. Based on 7 story lines from this region, there are 7 to 10 different types of caches to be found. You can choose to follow 1 story, but all 70 caches are interlinked. You could also go on a multi-day exploration.
The 7 story lines are:
1. Landscape diversity
Discover the nature of Drenthe on this GeoTour. Walk past dolmens, which are the oldest monuments in the Netherlands. Wander the raised bogs, visit the De Onlanden nature reserve, or walk through the beautiful landscape of villages and farmland.
2. Berend Botje
Berend Botje is a historic children's song about sailing. Did he really exist? Many stories have circulated about Berend and his little ship. You will unravel this saga in and around Zuidlaren.
3. Girl from Yde
A bog corpse was found in 1897 near Yde. Startled, the peat diggers put her back into the peat. She was rediscovered and is now on display at the Drents Museum. But who was this girl and why was she sacrificed?
4. TT Assen
The TT in Assen is one of the oldest motorcycle races in the world. The first race was held here as early as 1925. It was not yet on a closed circuit at that time. Instead, it ran right through the Assen-Hooghalen area. During this GeoTour, you pass by the circuit as it was in 1926- 1954.
5. Origin of Assen
Around 1260, the monastery Maria in Campis was founded in Assen. This monastery laid the foundation for the city as we know it today. The nuns were daughters of prominent families. Find out how they lived, worked and what lands they owned.
6. The Colonies of Benevolence
Descriptions of how Veenhuizen and the nearby region were in the past could fill the pages of multiple books. General Johannes van den Bosch, founder of all this, had particularly progressive ideas for society. Whether all of those became reality will become clear in this tour.
7. Lady Lebbe
A dead woman was found in the middle of the field, between Zeijen and Peest, by a shepherd around the year 1600. Had she been killed for what she carried? Or had she died of weakness? Put on your detective hat and unravel this mystery.
Do you want to learn more about the different story lines or are you ready to go on a treasure hunt? Start your journey of discovery in Drenthe!
Download your passport with coupons of associated businesses, and start your journey of discovery through the Kop van Drenthe area.
Download your passport
Fancy getting started? We would like to give you some more tips.
For additional explanations, you can also visit geocaching.com. You will find several videos that will help you get started.
