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Hooghmoed

Hooghmoed is Efteling's free-fall ride, found in Ruigrijk since May 2026, next to Baron 1898. Beside the Baron's gold mine stands a smelting works, where the gold from the mine is melted down. The chimney of that smelting works needs sweeping regularly, so Baron Gustav Hooghmoed is looking for brave chimney sweeps. That means you get to go up high!

You take a seat on one of the tall blue towers and are pulled up to 9.5 metres. There you hang still for a moment, with views over the Gondoletta lake, Baron 1898 and even the Piraña, before you drop back down.

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Efteling visitors look up at the Hooghmoed attraction, where gondolas with passengers hang high up alongside blue poles and a brick chimney

The story behind Hooghmoed

The name Hooghmoed refers to Baron Gustav Hooghmoed, the main character in the story of Baron 1898. In 2015, after many voyages of discovery, he opened his gold mine at Efteling, determined to dig every last bit of gold out of the ground. That didn't quite go to plan, as he soon had to deal with the Witte Wieven, who protect the gold.

Hooghmoed ties in with that story: with its brick chimney, steel masts and industrial feel, the ride fits perfectly with the area around the mine. It isn't a gigantic thrill ride, but rather an exciting stepping stone for children who are still too small for the Baron's big drop.

Passengers in hanging seats on the tall blue towers of Hooghmoed in the Efteling, next to a brick chimney under a blue sky
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Blue steel masts with red wheels and cables next to a brick chimney against a clear blue sky, at Hooghmoed in the Efteling

Practical information:

To ride Hooghmoed you need to be at least 0.90 m tall. If you're between 0.90 and 1.30 m, you must ride with someone aged 16 or over. From 1.30 m you can ride on your own. That makes Hooghmoed a great first taste of the feeling of free fall: for Baron 1898, after all, you need to be at least 1.32 metres.

Hooghmoed is in Ruigrijk, close to the entrance of Baron 1898. Dare you climb Baron Gustav Hooghmoed's chimney?

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