Discover Overdinkel

Overdinkel offers several specific ways to plan a trip: a route focusing on the textile industry, religious art, trails and art walks, as well as stories about smuggling. If you are looking for a hotel for a stay in Overdinkel, these themes can shape the purpose of your trip—from an interest in local history to a several-hour guided excursion.

Textile history near the border

The Losser–Overdinkel–Lonnekerberg Textile Route focuses on the textile industry in Twente. It runs mostly along paved cycle paths. Overdinkel developed around 1900 near the German border, when textile manufacturers built homes for textile workers. The route and the town’s history therefore lead to two sides of the same subject: the importance of the textile industry and the living conditions associated with it.

For cyclists, the course of the Textile Route is a practical point of reference when planning a ride. The town’s history adds a timeframe to the route: Overdinkel developed around the turn of the 20th century. Those interested in regional industrial history can thus find both a named route and a connection to the town’s origins.

Church art and Gerardus Majella Park

The Gerardus Majella Church has a stained-glass window depicting Gerardus Majella, as well as paintings showing scenes from his life. Behind the church lies Gerardus Majella Park, which invites visitors to stroll and reflect. Art, church and park are distinct facets of Overdinkel’s religious heritage.

On Hoofdstraat, the Maria Chapel was built in 2019 to mark the sisters’ 100th anniversary. A statue of Mary, donated to the Overdinkel community at the end of 2018, was restored and installed in the specially built chapel on 7 April 2019. These dates give a visit to the chapel a specific historical context, without conflating the religious artworks in the Gerardus Majella Church with the statue of Mary.

Walking and cycling

The WAK walking collection comprises five art walks in Losser, De Lutte and Overdinkel. Trails passing artworks and leading through Overdinkel can be walked year-round. The walking route list also includes Tiekenvenneke Overdinkel: the route is 7.4 kilometres long, with a stated duration of 1 hour and 51 minutes. This gives you a choice of a specific walking route with its distance and duration, as well as art trails that can be enjoyed year-round.

Another cycling option is the 38-kilometre cross-border Overdinkel–Drielandsee cycling route, which passes through Gerardus Majella Park. It is considerably longer than the listed Tiekenvenneke walk and is designated as a cycling route. The park is therefore both a place for strolling and reflection and part of a longer cross-border route.

Smuggling stories and a guided tour

Overdinkel is known as a smugglers’ town, and stories from its eventful smuggling history have been passed down from generation to generation. You can also explore a smugglers’ walking route in Overdinkel. Another option is the three-hour guided smuggling tour by electric kart. It covers the history of smuggling and the rural surroundings of Overdinkel and Losser, runs close to the border and stops regularly at historic sites. There, the guide shares stories and anecdotes. The walking route and guided kart tour are different ways to explore the subject. Check availability for your preferred date.

An event with a long tradition

The Gerardus procession takes place in Gerardus Majella Park every year on the first Sunday on or after 16 October. The tradition has existed for more than 100 years. If you would like to plan your trip around this event, check the date for the relevant year when making your plans.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Losser, Beuningen, De Lutte.

Return to the main travel overview: Losser.