Discover Ijhorst

Ijhorst offers several points of interest to help you plan your trip: historical connections in the old village centre, cultural heritage routes and landscapes along the Reestdal. If you are looking for a hotel in Ijhorst, these themes can help you choose a destination for your stay—whether you are especially interested in local history, routes or nature.

Chapel, bell tower and memorial

There was already a chapel in the old village centre in 1292, founded by Zwarte Water Abbey near Hasselt. Another historical landmark is the wooden bell tower at Kerkweg 10, which is a Rijksmonument. According to the Preliminary List, the bell inside was cast by Pieter Seest in 1780. Here, you will encounter different periods of history: the medieval history of the chapel and a bell tower with a dated bell.

The memorial to English airmen commemorates six Allied airmen who lost their lives in the area on 23 December 1942 while fighting the occupying forces. It adds a distinct dimension to local history: alongside architectural and church history, the remembrance of events from the Second World War is another theme you will encounter in Ijhorst.

Two routes with different focuses

The yellow Kuierroute Ywehorst goes around Ijhorst and is a cultural heritage route. Its length is given as either 11 or 9 kilometres. The Cultuur-historische route IJhorst focuses on nature and historic buildings: it passes buildings with historical backgrounds and follows centuries-old paths and estates. If you want to choose a route based on its stated length, Ywehorst gives you specific distance information. The Cultuur-historische route, by contrast, focuses on the links between landscape, old paths and historic buildings.

The Cultuur-historische route starts opposite Heerenweg 36 in Ijhorst and follows the purple arrows of the walking route network northwards. As information about the route’s starting point may change, check it before setting out. This allows you to distinguish between the two routes based on their different descriptions, rather than treating them as the same route.

Landscape along the Reestdal

The Vledders nature reserve lies between Staphorst and Ijhorst and has a rich history in the Reestdal. The Vledders and Leijerhooilanden nature reserve is not open to visitors. However, you can experience it from the paths along its edge and via the yellow route of the walking route network from Ijhorst. Applicable conservation rules may change; check access conditions before your visit.

De Witte Bergen is a woodland area in Ijhorst. Its hills were formed when the topsoil of the adjacent De Vledders area was blown away. More than a century ago, De Witte Bergen became a recreational area for the wider region. For a view over the Reestdal, there is also an observation tower about 15 metres high. Together, these descriptions reveal different aspects of the landscape: how it was formed, its former role as a recreational area and the view over the valley.

Starting points and getting there

The yellow Kuierroute Ywehorst starts at the Heerenweg car park in Ijhorst. There is also a charging station for electric cars there. As information about parking and charging facilities may change, check before travelling. From Meppel railway station, the route can be reached by community bus 592; get off at the Heerenweg (Klomp) stop. Check the latest timetable before travelling.

This information about the starting point is useful when planning your journey to Ywehorst; it does not automatically apply to the other route. The start of the Cultuur-historische route is given as opposite Heerenweg 36. When choosing your hotel, you can take into account the themes that interest you and the most suitable starting point for each route.

Discover more destinations: Staphorst, Rouveen.

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