Join the search for prehistoric dolmens in Drenthe, Netherlands

As I am increasingly enjoying exploring the Netherlands too, I went in search of the prehistoric dolmens in Drenthe. This ancient history told by the dolmens is very interesting to delve into. These prehistoric dolmens in the Netherlands are mostly located in Drenthe and are really worth a visit.

Join the search for prehistoric dolmens in Drenthe, Netherlands

Where are the dolmens in The Netherlands?

Most, almost all, dolmens are scattered in the province of Drenthe. Only 2 of the total 54 dolmens are in the province of Groningen. Looking for the exact locations of the dolmens?

What is hidden under a dolmen?

Human bones have been found beneath the dolmens, which are believed to be of human origin. Other objects have also been discovered, which are thought to have been given to the deceased. Beneath large hunebedden, skeletal remains of multiple individuals have been found, suggesting that several individuals were buried in one grave.

Can you visit the dolmens for free?

All dolmens are free to visit. They are scattered throughout the Drenthe landscape. If you have the coordinates, you can simply go there. The only thing you need to pay for if you want to see it is the visitor center with the museum and stone garden, the Van Ewijcktuin in Borger. There are thousands of stones that were brought over by the ice from Sweden, Norway, and the surrounding area during the Ice Age.

Here you will find the largest and best-preserved dolmen. This largest hunebed is still free to visit.

I had read that the dolmen in Borger was the largest and best preserved, so when I decided to take this route, it was the first dolmen I visited.

 Visiting the Prehistoric Dolmen of The Netherlands

Biggest Dolmen D27

When I walked onto the site, I soon saw where I needed to be for the largest and best-preserved dolmen. Under some ancient oaks, I saw enormous stones piled up. It was a long row… just like I know the dolmens from the pictures. When I stood in front of it, I felt quite small, not only because of the size of the dolmen but even more so because of its age.

It has been there for centuries, and how many people have stood there just like me, gazing at it? What rituals were performed here in those times, and what did those rituals look like? Dolmens have existed since the Neolithic / Neolithic period. And that was 5000 years ago! Between 3400 and 3200 BC. I can hardly imagine that!

The Dolmens in the province of Drenthe – The Netherlands

I had visited this area when I was younger but I could not really remember that anymore

So I wrote down a number of place names and thought of a route so that I could visit some of these prehistoric structures. Each of these structures has been assigned a letter with a number. The largest is numbered: D27.

What is also really fun about the dolmens is that you can’t damage them. The stones are so large and heavy that you can comfortably stand on them with your entire family and take nice photos. It doesn’t matter; the stones definitely won’t roll away.

2025 addition: This is now different – You are no longer allowed to climb on the dolmens.

But I could of course still practice my hobby, so… When there was nobody around, I quickly took a yoga picture by the dolmen. 🙂

Facts about the most beautiful Dolmen D27

Hunebed D27 is 23 meters long and has 9 capstones. It also features 4 portal stones, of which 1 portal capstone is still in place. D27 is also the best-preserved and most beautiful dolmen in the Netherlands.

Location of D27 and the Hunebed Center Borger:
Address: Hunebedstraat 22, Borger.

It’s of course great that you could stand on these ancient hunebeds with your whole family and take a nice photo! But you won’t be able to experience that anymore since it is now prohibited to stand on this hunebed.

Where is the world’s biggest Dolmen?

That is not in the Netherlands! This largest dolmen in the world is located near the town of Antequera. Unfortunately, I did not see it when I was in this amazing area of southern Spain. This dolmen weighs as much as 180 tons!

Funnelbeaker culture – inhabitants of the dolmens

The people who built these dolmens are called the Funnel Beaker culture because they made cups in this shape. The Funnel Beaker culture dates back to the Neolithic period, around 4350 to about 2750 BC. It remains a mystery how this people managed to move these large stones into formation.

Driving through the procinve of Drenthe – In search for dolmens

To travel from one dolmen to another, you drive through beautiful landscapes and lovely idyllic villages of the province of Drenthe!

And you will see big stones everywhere

And wooden shoes you will always see in The Netherlands right?

The Five Dolmens of Bronneger (D21-25)

After I gathered some information at the museum, I set off on my journey. They told me that I only needed to walk or drive a short distance to reach a group of five dolmens. These were numbered D21 to D25 and were located near the village of Bronneger.

I found them easily, and if you’re up for a nice walk, I highly recommend doing it on foot. However, since I had a number of other places I wanted to visit, I didn’t take the time to explore thoroughly. The surroundings are truly stunning, showcasing the rolling landscape formed by the advancing and melting ice caps in prehistoric times. When you take a walk, you naturally follow the gentle undulations of the terrain, allowing you to enjoy beautiful views over the landscape.

Here, I had a clear view of the capstone.

Here, I was alone and dared to take a photo of the dolmen 🙂

In the forest near Exloo (D31)

After this, I visited Exloo, where number D31 is located. It is situated in the middle of the forest and can also be reached by car. There is no parking lot, so I just parked the car by the side of the road. I saw that happening and it seemed to be no problem at all. Before reaching the dolmen, you see a glacial valley. I couldn’t quite capture it well in the photo, but it gave a wonderful view, looking over the open area between the woods with grazing sheep.

A little further into the forest, you drive in and on your left-hand side, you see a hill. On the hill, you see several stones lying. When I walked over to it, I saw one capstone that had fallen off. At the top of the hill, there is an open space, a circle where the stones are placed, which really gives a very unique view. A short distance away, they have placed a bench where you can rest a moment and enjoy the atmosphere that surrounds you.

In search of the Prehistoric Dolmens in Drenthe

Just outside Odoorn (D32)

Fortunately, they are all well marked with signs along the provincial road. I had entered all the street names into my navigation system, but you can’t see them from the road, and the paths leading there are not always clearly visible or recognizable. I actually drove past it when I suddenly noticed that I was passing the sign. When I looked back, I also saw a small path running between the fields, leading into a piece of forest.

In that forest, I saw another clearing, and there lay a small dolmen. There was still one capstone in place, while the rest had collapsed.

In a small forest near Valthe (D34)

If you’re looking for the dolmens in Drenthe, you suddenly do see the signs along the side of the road. This was also a path where you weren’t allowed to drive. I was able to park my car on a wide, long driveway across the way and set off on foot. I walked between the barley fields. What a beautiful sight it is when the wind sweeps through them! I saw the barley stalks gracefully swaying in the wind, giving the field various shades of green and beige.

At the end of the path, I came across another patch of woodland. There, I saw the smallest and least well-preserved dolmen. It was really just a collection of stones lying together.

What I did see was an enormous field filled with hemp plants; I had never seen so many before. They are likely being grown here for their fibers.

If you also enjoy searching for the burial mounds (dolmens) in Drenthe, take a look at this page to plan a nice route for yourself.

Stay in Drenthe – The Netherlands

Will you do a small holiday to this side of The Netherlands? Book a night at De Koestal in Odoorn. Such a nice place in the Dutch landscape.

Or this beautiful location in the small town of Noord-Sleen? A lovely spot in a former blacksmith’s shop – De Hoefstal

Searching for those Dolmens in The Netherlands

Do you want to read more about The Netherlands?

Read about the famous: Kinderdijk: Just Like in the Postcards

Or go cycling Along the great mills of Leiden

What did you think about Walking an Intertidal Walk through the Waddensea?

Or Three Ideas for Walking in Deventer

For more stories check here all my stories about The Netherlands