Overijssel: Water Landscapes, Heathland and Hanseatic History

Water-rich areas, extensive forests and floodplains shape Overijssel. There are also small-scale meadows, raised bogs, lakes and rivers. This gives visitors a range of themes to explore: trips on the water, trails through forests and heathland, and visits to historic towns and museums.

Water, Heathland and Forests

Weerribben-Wieden is an extensive wetland and lake area where water, reeds and history come together. The Weerribben Information Centre is a starting point for trips in Weerribben-Wieden National Park—by covered excursion boat, silent boat or canoe. If you are planning a trip on the water, check the latest visitor information in advance.

A different landscape defines De Sallandse Heuvelrug National Park, one of Europe’s largest contiguous heathland areas. At Sallandse Heuvelrug, visitor centres offer maps, routes and food and drink options, and make suitable starting points for a visit. The visitor centres run by Landschap Overijssel are also starting points for walks and cycling trips; there you can find information about local nature and history.

Routes by Landscape and Activity

Routes in the Sallandse Heuvelrug and Twents Reggedal area pass through forests, across heathland and along the River Regge. They are suitable for walking, cycling and mountain biking. In the Weerribben-Wieden area, walking trails pass through the historic centre of Steenwijk, while cycling routes circle the large lakes of De Wieden: some take you through a historic town centre, while others explore the lake landscape.

The cycling junction network provides signposting for cycling routes on the Sallandse Heuvelrug. The Twente mountain bike network covers more than 700 kilometres across 17 routes through a wooded landscape with gentle hills. These details offer different kinds of guidance: signposted cycling routes in one area, and a large mountain bike network with a specified number of routes in another. Routes and access arrangements may change; check the latest information before setting out.

There is also a specific walking option around the Twickel Estate: the 4.5-kilometre Kasteelwandeling passes the castle, through forests and past farmhouses, the Noordmolen and the kitchen garden. The castle stands at the centre of a landscape park. The estate’s nature areas and forests are freely accessible every day from sunrise to sunset; check the latest access rules before your visit.

Hanseatic History and Regional Culture

The Hanseatic towns in the east of the Netherlands developed into powerful trading centres in the Middle Ages. Along the IJssel and the border lakes, Hanseatic towns offer a historic Hanseatic atmosphere for day trips and longer visits. In Kampen, sections of the town wall and historic town gates have been preserved. The town has around 500 listed national monuments, museums and other attractions. A guided tour of Deventer’s Bergkwartier takes you back to the old Hanseatic era; check in advance whether it is available on your travel dates.

Low Saxon is recognised as a regional language in Overijssel and is also a cultural phenomenon. For those interested in the region’s linguistic and historical heritage, it offers another cultural perspective alongside the surviving historic buildings and Hanseatic towns.

Museums with Distinctive Themes

The Museum Buurtspoorweg in the Twente region of the province of Overijssel presents a working narrow-gauge railway operation from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It offers a return journey by steam train between Haaksbergen and Boekelo. Operating days and timetables vary by season, so it is advisable to check the latest information. Visitors can also explore a workshop and a goods shed in and around the museum station.

The Nederlands Bakkerijmuseum in Hattem is housed in four historic buildings connected by a tunnel beneath the street. It tells the history of bread and fine pastries. Regular “Broodshows” take place in the museum theatre: the baker explains the history of bread and demonstrates their skills working with dough; dates may vary. The Poffertjessalon serves golden-brown treats made according to an old family recipe.

Museum Natura Docet in Denekamp is a family museum where visitors can encounter unusual animals and explore nature. A mammoth skeleton is also on display there. In Zwolle, Museum de Fundatie brings together art and striking architecture: Marte Röling’s “Dikke vette gouden vredesduif” stands on the roof and, together with the Wolk, shapes the cityscape. A new part of the museum offers a view of the historic city centre through a large oval window. The Fundatie collection comprises more than 16,000 objects; some are on display in Zwolle and Heino.

Discover more destinations: Nutter, Enschede, Dinkelland, Kampen, Zwartewaterland, Olst-Wijhe, Tubbergen, Twenterand, Wierden, Zwolle, Hellendoorn, Hof Van Twente, Ommen, Raalte, Almelo, Borne, Dalfsen, Deventer, Haaksbergen, Hardenberg, Hengelo, Losser, Oldenzaal, Rijssen-Holten, Staphorst, Steenwijkerland

For the main travel overview: Netherlands.