Whether you’re looking for a special natural spot for a day trip or just want to relax in nature: sometimes you don’t have to travel far to find a breathtaking destination. Just a two-hour drive from Amsterdam, you’ll find a water oasis that looks like it could have drifted straight out of a Caribbean bay.
With its powder-soft beaches, surrounding forests, and surreal azure-blue water, the Blue Lake in Drenthe is a stunning place to visit. It’s the ultimate spot for swimming outdoors, hiking, and instantly getting that tropical vacation feeling right here at home.
The secret behind the crystal-clear water
In 1905 , the tranquility of the Drenthe heath was disrupted when entrepreneur Roelfsema established the Albino sand-lime brick factory here. For decades, sand dredgers worked overtime to extract the white sand from the ground, resulting in a bottomless crater south of Hoogersmilde.
What the workers didn’t realize at the time was that they had stumbled upon a geological treasure : the dark-green mineral glauconite. As soon as sunlight cuts through the water, the extreme depth reacts immediately with this mineral. The result is a visual spectacle that transformed the lake into the most Caribbean-looking water oasis in our country.
Among Drenthe’s heathland sheep and rare wilderness
Once you leave the beach behind, you’ll find yourself face to face with a rugged stretch of Drenthe’s wilderness. The Leggelderveld forms a crucial ecological corridor and surprises visitors with a varied landscape of restored ponds, old forest patches, and vast heathland.
Wooden walking trails lead you across the marshy terrain without getting your feet wet. Here, you’ll traverse the territory of grazing cattle and heath sheep, while dragonflies and rare moor frogs inhabit the wetlands.
Practical Information
- Admission: €3.50 per person. Please note: QR code/mobile payments only; no cash accepted.
- Car & Parking: 2 hours from Amsterdam (A28). Parking costs €2/hour (max. €8/day).
- Public transit: Intercity train to Assen + Bus 84 toward Hoogersmilde.
