Zalk – Paths, Forest and Mill History

Zalk brings together paths along the IJssel and through the surrounding countryside, mill history and memories of earlier times. If you’re looking for a hotel for a trip to Zalk, you can start by planning your stay around your interests: are nature and hiking, the history of the mill or local history your priority? Each theme offers a different focus for planning your days.

Explore the surroundings on foot

The Laarzenpad Zalk runs along the IJssel and through meadows and woodland around Zalk. The river, open spaces and wooded areas all shape the walk. You can start at Kerkplein or at the car park of the Dorpshuis ‘An de Steege’, Broeksteeg 42, 8276 AG Zalk. Check the latest starting-point information before setting out, as access details may change.

Another route, “Zalk met het pontje,” starts in the centre of Zalk at Kerkplein. If you’re planning this walk, check the current starting point here too. This lets you begin the walk at the location planned for your visit.

Forest and consideration for nature

Zalkerbos is one of the oldest forests in Overijssel and a rare hardwood floodplain forest managed as coppice woodland. Here, forest history meets a distinctive form of woodland management. Stay on the paths in Zalkerbos: sensitive plants and ground-nesting birds are found there. If you’re interested in forest landscapes, you can take in not only the scenery but also the forest type and how it is managed.

The history of the castle, river and Schultehuis

Kasteel Buckhorst stood on this site until 1840. Another historic date is the autumn of 1826: on the IJssel near Zalk, a fisherman killed what, according to current knowledge, was the last wild beaver in the Netherlands. The two dates highlight different things—one a former site, the other an event on the river.

The Schultehuis adds an administrative perspective to local history. It was the former residence of the schult, dates from the early 17th century and is a Rijksmonument. The history of Kasteel Buckhorst, the former administrative role of the Schultehuis and the memory of the beaver each represent a different side of Zalk’s past.

Molen De Valk and visitor options

Molen De Valk was built in 1860 for miller Van Raalte as a grain and hulling mill. The working grain mill is open every Saturday, staffed by volunteer millers. Check before travelling whether it will be open on your chosen date. Groups can visit Molen De Valk by arrangement outside regular opening hours; the millers offer guided tours and show how grain is turned into flour.

Since October 2022, a small farm shop has been located in the lower part of the mill, selling flour and regional products. Check the current opening hours before visiting. On the ’s-Heerenbroek side of the IJssel, a tea house serves freshly ground coffee with a homemade filled biscuit or a slice of the famous apple pie. Check the current offering before visiting.

Ferry and trip planning

The Zalkerveer is a foot passenger ferry across the IJssel between the Dutch villages of Zalk and ’s-Heerenbroek. If you plan to use the ferry, check the timetable in advance. This is a separate consideration when planning your trip, not a requirement for visiting the other places mentioned.

When choosing your travel dates, the main differences between these activities concern timing: the mill opens on Saturdays, group visits outside regular hours require an arrangement, and you should check the latest starting-point information for the walks. If you’re looking for a hotel for your trip to Zalk, first decide whether hiking, the mill experience or local history will shape your days, and choose your travel dates according to the relevant conditions.

Discover more destinations: Grafhorst, Kampen, IJsselmuiden, Kamperveen

Back to the main travel overview: Kampen.