Hooghmoed to Open May 1, 2026 at Efteling – New Freefall Ride for Kids

The wait is over for the youngest thrill-seekers at Efteling! On May 1, 2026, the brand-new freefall attraction Hooghmoed will open right next to the popular Baron 1898 Dive Coaster. It is the park’s first thrilling ride designed for children from 90 cm tall (accompanied by someone 130 cm or taller).

The story is set in Baron Gustave Hooghmoed’s smelting hut next to his famous gold mine. Young visitors take on the role of chimney sweeps and ride the lift tower up to 9.5 meters, enjoying a spectacular panoramic view. Suddenly, the Witte Wieven appear and sabotage the ride: A steel cable snaps, and the lift plunges several meters into dense fog and smoke.

Hooghmoed features a 14.5-meter-high gold smelter with chimney and three separate 12-meter freefall towers. Each tower holds 10 riders, allowing up to 30 guests per cycle. Each ride lasts about 1.5 minutes with a maximum drop of six meters. Immersive effects including sound, fog, and smoke create a truly atmospheric experience. Every tower has an accessible seat for guests with disabilities (self-transfer required).

Hooghmoed is perfect for visitors who find Baron 1898 too intense or who don’t yet meet the 132 cm height requirement for the coaster. With a capacity of 600 guests per hour, this smaller-scale attraction perfectly complements the area around Baron 1898 in theme and atmosphere, expanding the offering for a broader audience in line with Efteling’s area vision.