Ommen: City History, Trails and the Vecht

Ommen lies on the banks of the Vecht. The town’s history, the Ommen Historical Museum, and walking routes in and around Ommen offer different perspectives on a stay; in the Vecht Valley, cyclists can use the cycle network to explore the area. Other attractions include the more than 60 km-long “Tijdreis van het Oerrund” cycling route and nearby Lemelerberg. If you are looking for a hotel in Ommen, you can decide in advance whether you would rather spend your time exploring historical themes, walking, cycling, or enjoying the landscape.

City History

Ommen received its town charter in 1248. In 1492, Hessel Mulert was granted permission to build a bridge over the Vecht. The former bridge house was built in 1532 on the site of what is now the old town hall. Ommen’s early history spans the granting of its town charter in 1248, Hessel Mulert receiving permission to build a bridge over the Vecht in 1492, and the former bridge house, built in 1532 on the site of today’s old town hall.

Makkinga’s Mölle

Makkinga’s Mölle was built by Roelof Makkinga in 1824 to supply his carpentry business with sawn timber. It is the only old hexagonal mill in the Netherlands built as a sawmill. Its specific economic purpose and distinctive design come together in this structure.

The Ommen Historical Museum

The Ommen Historical Museum is housed in Molen Den Oordt and a former customs house in Ommen. Its collection includes traditional costumes, pieces of jewellery, and everyday objects from the 19th and 20th centuries. The museum also has a permanent exhibition on Kamp Erika, with a model of the camp and a site plan showing the original and current layouts. The collection’s objects from two centuries are thus presented alongside a dedicated exhibition featuring a model and site plan.

Walking and Cycling

Ommen and the surrounding area have an extensive network of walking trails with numerous routes. The Krishnamurti walking route officially starts at Ommen railway station. The Piratenpad is a children’s trail in the Laarbos in Ommen, with a pirate theme. These named trails have different features: the official starting point is specified for the Krishnamurti walking route, while the Piratenpad is distinguished by its classification as a children’s trail and its pirate theme.

The “Tijdreis van het Oerrund” cycling route is more than 60 km long and runs through the Vecht Valley between Hardenberg and Varsen (Ommen); it passes through three historical periods. This gives the route a historical setting. Cyclists can also use the cycle network in the Vecht Valley to explore the area. The named route is described in specific terms by its length, endpoints, and theme; the network is intended for exploring the region.

The Banks of the Vecht and the Landscape

The banks of the Vecht in Ommen are recommended as a place for picnics by the water. Nearby is Lemelerberg, a protected Natura 2000 area with dry heathland and woodland. There is also a fully paved wheelchair path there. The banks of the Vecht and Lemelerberg offer different landscape highlights: here, the focus is on the water and picnicking by the river; there, on heathland, woodland, and a paved path.

Discover more destinations: Beerzerveld, Vilsteren, Arrien, Beerze, Giethmen, Dalmsholte, Stegeren, Lemele.

For the main travel overview: Ommen.