In Drenthe it is also called Hoal'n or Hoalen , but then people often mean the entire area, with the neighborhoods Laaghalen, Laaghalerveen and Oosthalen.

Other facilities in the village are: sports fields, football club HHCombi, a public primary school, a supermarket with postal agency, a bakery and a few other shops and restaurants.

The railway line Meppel – Groningen runs just east of the village, but there is no longer a station.

To the east of the village lies not only the modest ess, but also a large nature reserve: the Hoogwaardij Boswachterij.

To prevent disturbance of the observations, motorized traffic and the use of mobile phone s in the wider area is not permitted.

This does not apply to the Groote Zand, a forest and heath area to the north-east of Hooghalen that is owned by The Drentse Landschap.

In addition, there is Hijkerveld between Hooghalen and Hijken, which consists of moorland, fens, peat remains and deciduous forest.