Discover Wijhe: Cultural History and Nature Trails

Those wishing to combine local history with trails through cultural and natural landscapes will find a range of points of interest in and around Wijhe. In the town, buildings and art with stories of their own take centre stage; in the surrounding area, there are also trails, an estate, and the landscape along the IJssel. This makes it possible to explore Wijhe based on specific interests – from historic buildings to nature restoration and birdwatching.

Cultural history in the town

The municipal list of national monuments, updated in December 2025, includes the Nederlandse Hervormde Kerk Nicolaaskerk at Kerkstraat 15 and De Waag at Langstraat 48–50. Both offer distinct historical points of reference in the townscape. The Historical Association of Wijhe shares the history and cultural heritage of Wijhe; its premises are at Langstraat 52. On the second Saturday of each month from September to May, the association holds genealogy open days. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., volunteers answer questions about family research.

The mill, small-scale architecture, and public art also tell different sides of the town’s history. Built in 1703, the Wijhese Molen is the oldest octagonal mill in the province of Overijssel. De Notedop is considered the smallest house in Wijhe: A.W.C. Keijser built it onto his house in 1869 and set up a post office there. The French School in Wijhe was founded in 1862. The artwork De Marskramer evokes Wijhe’s former trade and liveliness. Together, these places and themes offer more than a single historical focal point.

Trails between nature and culture

The Wandelrondje Wijhe combines nature and culture and passes several municipal monuments with information boards and QR codes. Another option is the Kunst en cultuur snuiven in Wijhe walking route, which is about 4.7 kilometres long. If you would like to choose your walk based on an approximate distance, this figure is a useful guide; the Wandelrondje focuses on the combination of nature and culture and the information at the monuments.

Landgoed De Gelder near Wijhe brings together landscape and architectural history. The estate includes the remains of a demolished havezate, a moat, a bridge, woodland, and numerous rhododendrons. Over more than 200 hectares, avenues, ditches, and walking paths have been largely preserved. The combination of preserved landscape features and architectural remains sets this area apart from the individual historic buildings in the town.

Nature and landscape in the surrounding area

Near Wijhe, the Duursche Waarden along the IJssel is a water-rich, marshy nature restoration area. Scottish Highland cattle are used there to manage the landscape. The Duursche Waarden also contains the remains of an old brickworks, including a flame kiln, a ring kiln, and a 40-metre-high chimney. Nature restoration and industrial history meet here in the same place, though they tell different parts of its story.

Visitors to the Duursche Waarden can use an observation tower and birdwatching hides; workshops, lectures, and excursions are held there regularly. Veermans Hof IJsselflora in Wijhe tells a different story of local nature. The garden was established to save and preserve the flora of the old dikes near Wijhe. While the Duursche Waarden is a water-rich nature restoration area, Veermans Hof focuses on preserving dike flora.

Getting your bearings by the water

The TOP Wijhe at Veerweg provides information about the area and parking. At the Loswal, there are 20 motorhome parking spaces and a visitors’ harbour. The Loswal is near the Wijhe–Heerde ferry and within a short walk of the town centre. If you plan to use the ferry, check the timetable before travelling.

These points of reference complement the cultural and natural attractions with practical information about visitor facilities in the town: the TOP brings together information about the area, while the Loswal combines parking spaces with a harbour. This allows you to explore Wijhe according to your interests, whether through its local history, the trails described here, or the landscape along the IJssel.

Discover more destinations: Olst, Wesepe, Welsum

For the wider travel overview: Olst-Wijhe.