Looking for a unique stay in nature? We have a wonderful recommendation for you! Winterwoods is a unique pop-up campsite located in the beautiful forests of Drenthe, dedicated to tranquility and nature. You’ll spend your nights in an authentic Mongolian yurt and during the day, you can participate in many fun and sometimes challenging activities. Experience the beauty of the Dutch winter by immersing yourself in the elements. Enjoy a cup of hot chocolate by the campfire, unwind in the forest sauna, join a yoga class, or brave the icy water during cold training. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing weekend or an active exploration of the Dutch wilderness, Winterwoods has it all. Here we’ll share our experience from our Winterwoods weekend, so you know exactly what to expect.
The Winterwoods concept
Winterwoods is nestled in the beautiful forests of Drenthe. You’ll stay for a minimum of two nights in one of the 17 yurts scattered among the trees. Chop your own firewood and keep your yurt cozy and warm with a wood-burning stove. Never used an axe before? Don’t worry, they’ll teach you on the first day, and there’s always someone available to help. During our stay at Winterwoods, we filled our days with various exciting activities and relaxed in the cozy outdoor living room furnished with vintage pieces. You can play games, make music, read a book, or toast marshmallows on a stick and make them crispy over the fire. Nature takes center stage at Winterwoods, making it the perfect place to unwind.
What’s it like to sleep in a Mongolian yurt?
One of the unique features of Winterwoods is the opportunity to sleep in a traditional Mongolian yurt (pronounced “yurt”). Yurts originated in Mongolia and are large round tents used by nomads who roam the cold steppe regions of Central Asia with their livestock. The yurts at Winterwoods are imported from Mongolia and hand-painted.
Upon checking in and arriving at our yurt, we immediately lit up the wood-burning stove. The yurt was beautifully decorated with colorful rugs on the floor and cozy lights all around. Once the yurt was warm, we started cooking on the stove. We had brought all the ingredients in a large cooler box, and the yurt was equipped with pans and utensils for cooking. In the evening, we went to sleep under a clear starry sky, which we could admire right from our bed because the yurt’s roof was partially transparent. With the wind rustling through the trees and the distant sound of an owl, we drifted off to sleep. Simply delightful!
Tip: If you don’t feel like cooking, you can always go out for a meal. Just a 5-minute drive away, there’s a great pancake restaurant to try.
What to do at Winterwoods?
During the day, you won’t run out of things to do at Winterwoods as there are plenty of activities organized on the campsite. We tried almost all of the activities, and below, we describe what they entail.
Cold Training
Have you ever watched a video of Wim Hof in an ice bath with complete admiration? At Winterwoods, you can learn how to stay in cold water for minutes on end. It was our first time trying it, and we found it a challenging but incredible experience. Just one kilometer away from Winterwoods, there’s a beautiful lake surrounded by trees. Together with a small group and two experienced trainers, we walked to the lake. We couldn’t yet imagine ourselves sitting in the cold water for minutes, but we were eager to give it a try.
The two trainers explained to us how to conquer the cold of the water and teached us how to control our breathing while in the water. First, we practiced a well-known breathing technique from the Wim Hof Method on the beach, which increases oxygen in the blood. Afterward, we did some physical exercises and then walked into the water. Initially, both of us had a shock reaction, but we quickly regained control of our breathing. For the following three minutes, we sat still in the icy lake and focused. Everyone in the water remained silent, and the trainers on the shore encouraged us. After three minutes, we quickly exited the water and dried ourselves off. It’s very cold, but we felt incredibly strong. Truly a victory!
Mountain Biking
Winterwoods provides mountain bikes that you can borrow to explore the forests of Drenthe. You can ride the beautiful MTB route between Gieten and Gasselte. This route takes you through the stunning Hondsrug area and includes sandy paths, winding singletracks, and occasional short climbs and descents. The entire route is 29.5 km long. After the ride, you can enjoy a warm hot chocolate by the fire.
Yoga & Meditation
On the Winterwoods site, alongside the yurts, there’s a large tipi tent dedicated to yoga and meditation. In the center of the tipi, there’s a big fire pit that keeps the tent warm, and there are yoga mats spread around it. It’s incredibly calming to practice yoga exercises and meditate by a crackling fire.
Finnish Sauna
We have arrived at our favorite activity, the Finnish sauna! It doesn’t get more idyllic than Winterwoods’ sauna because you have a view of the surrounding forests. It’s heated with a wood-burning stove, and there’s a plunge pool for cooling down.
Micro Hikes
From the campsite, you can embark on a few beautiful hikes to explore the surroundings. Winterwoods has some recommended hikes of varying distances. The hikes start from 5 km, and the longest one is 21 km. We did the Veenpluis Route, and it was a truly beautiful walk. We even saw a couple of deer leaping by!
Tip: Start the hike during sunrise if you want to spot wildlife.
Bread Baking
Bread baking is a cozy and relaxing activity. You roll a bit of dough onto the end of your stick and hold it over the fire. Just be careful not to let it burn, like we did.
Sweat Lodge
Chances are you’ve never heard of a sweat lodge before. The sweat lodge is a hidden hut in the woods, made of willow branches and thick woolen blankets, resembling an “igloo.” There is no flooring inside, so you sit on the ground. The sweat lodge is heated with coals, and you will experience a 3-hour-long spiritual ceremony here. The experienced crew at Winterwoods will provide you with more details about the sweat lodge.
Good to know: All these activities are included in the price, except for the sweat lodge.
Do we recommend Winterwoods?
We highly recommend Winterwoods to anyone who loves nature and wants to experience the outdoor life. It’s truly delightful to be surrounded by nature for days on end and fully recharge. Worried it may not be your thing because you’re sensitive to the cold? Winterwoods is the perfect place to learn how to deal with the cold. We found the combination of cold and warmth to be very enjoyable during our stay. You’ll often be near the warm fire or seek refuge in the sauna when you feel cold. In short, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay.
When is Winterwoods and how much does it cost?
Winterwoods is a pop-up campsite open every year from late October to the end of March. The price varies depending on whether you book on weekends or weekdays. Yurts can be booked for a minimum of 2 people and a maximum of 4 people. The more people you book the yurt for, the more cost-effective it becomes per person. The price includes all activities except for the sweat lodge. Check the Winterwoods website for current prices and available dates.
