With the completion of the area development Ruinen - Dwingelderveld, the area around Ruinen has become more attractive for residents and visitors. The entrance to the National Park Dwingelderveld will remain a place where nature, recreation, and livability come together well in the future. Ruinen plays an important role as a hospitable gateway, with a historic story and a rich offer of local entrepreneurs, sights, and facilities. The improvements were realized through cooperation between the Province of Drenthe, the municipalities of De Wolden and Westerveld, Recreatieschap Drenthe, EuroParcs, the De Benderse Berg foundation, village interests, Natuurmonumenten, and local entrepreneurs.
The completion of the project was celebrated with a bike tour through the area. During this tour, officials and involved partners viewed the new elements and received explanations about the realized improvements. Thanks to better roads, new cycling and walking connections, and clear information provision, the area has become safer and more attractive for residents, visitors, and recreational users.
Safe and Accessible
To keep the area pleasant and safely accessible in the future, various measures have been implemented. For example, the Oude Benderseweg has been widened and speed-reducing measures have been taken in several places. Also, the Benderse, between the visitor center and the sheepfold, has received a new layout that better suits use by residents and visitors.
New Cycling and Walking Connection
An important improvement is the new cycling connection between Ruinen and EuroParcs. This route is used not only by recreational users but also by young people from Ruinen who can safely cycle to the swimming pool along this route. Furthermore, routes for fast and slow traffic have been separated in several places. Additionally, a walking connection has been realized: From Brink to Heath. From the starting location at De Kaamp, benches and information panels with cultural-historical information have been placed along the connection. In this way, people are invited to visit National Park Dwingelderveld from Ruinen.
Nature and Livability in Balance
The Dwingelderveld is the largest contiguous wet heath area in Western Europe. Thousands of people come here annually to walk, cycle, and horseback ride. From Ruinen – an important gateway to the nature area – they visit among others the heath, the sheep herd, and the visitor center. The improvements made have brought nature, recreation, and livability in the area into even better balance.