Steenwijkerland: Water, Nature and Culture

Steenwijkerland combines 330 km² of water, reed beds and woodland with picturesque towns and villages. At the heart of the municipality lies Weerribben-Wieden National Park, Europe’s largest lowland raised bog. The region’s appeal does not lie in a single type of landscape: wetlands with open water are contrasted with higher-lying woodland, heathland and sandy landscapes. When planning a trip here, you can first consider which nature and culture themes you want your stay to focus on.

Water, Reed Beds and Higher-Lying Landscapes

The landscape also includes glacial ridge hills, small moorland lakes, gently rolling fields and polders. Particularly striking is the contrast between higher ground with woodland, heath and sand and the lower-lying wetlands of Weerribben and Wieden. These landscape types are within cycling and walking distance of one another. This gives your plans a clear contrast: you can spend days focused on the wetlands or on the higher-lying wooded areas, without treating the different landscapes as one and the same.

De Wieden particularly showcases the wetland side of the region: this preserved wetland landscape consists of large open water areas, pools, winding ditches and floating land. Rare plants and animals can be found there. For nature enthusiasts, both the forms of the bog and its plant and animal life are of interest. Reed beds and woodlands also shape the overall landscape of Steenwijkerland.

Nature Centres and Trips on the Water

Bezoekerscentrum De Wieden in Sint Jansklooster is a starting point for an excursion into the national park. There, you can get information about routes, boat trips and activities for children. In Ossenzijl, Informatiecentrum Weerribben is a starting point for trips on a covered tour boat, an electric whisper boat or a canoe in the national park. The two locations therefore offer different starting points for planning: information about routes and excursions in Sint Jansklooster, and specific trips on various types of watercraft in Ossenzijl.

Boat trips accompanied by rangers or nature guides are also offered in De Wieden. If you plan one of these trips, check the current programme. The Waterbus is separate: it connects De Wieden Visitor Centre with Blokzijl and Giethoorn, and bicycles can be brought on board. If you plan to use the Waterbus, check its operating times in advance, as service periods may change.

Architecture and Local History

In Steenwijk, Villa Rams Woerthe provides an architectural highlight. Built in 1899, it is an example of the Dutch variant of Art Nouveau. Its well-preserved interior was created with contributions from renowned designers and decorators. The Hildo Krop Museum, featuring a special collection of works by Hildo Krop, is located in the basement. Architecture and the collection of a single artist come together under one roof here.

Stadsmuseum Steenwijk offers insights into the city’s history and culture. Its six core collections include Eskaf ceramics, Wildebras dolls, Monsieur furniture, Bijkamp silver, the Steenwijk tobacco industry and the fortified town. Guided walking tours last about 1.5 hours and cover, among other things, Steenwijk’s history and its strategic role during the Eighty Years’ War. If you plan to take the tour, check the booking conditions in advance.

Stadsmuseum Vollenhove brings ten centuries of local history to life. This includes the period of Utrecht’s episcopal rule, noble-built manor houses and the heyday of fishing on the Zuiderzee. The museums have different focuses: Steenwijk foregrounds several clearly defined collections and the town’s history, while Vollenhove covers a long historical span of local history.

Cycling Route and Regional Food

The “Lekkers uit de Kop” initiative is aimed at visitors and residents, offering insights into where regional food comes from through farm shops, open days and tours of agricultural businesses. Products made in Steenwijkerland include dairy products, meat, fish, vegetables, cheese, sausages, honey, jam and nuts. Individual producers and opening arrangements may change, so check the offering of the relevant business before planning a visit.

Cyclists can take the 46.6-kilometre “Tussen stuwwal en streekproduct” route. It starts at junction 19 at the intersection of Kallekote and Oerthepad between Steenwijk and Kallenkote and passes local producers. Along the way, you can sample regional products such as dairy products, meat, nuts and beer. Check the route conditions and the availability of tastings before setting off. This makes it possible to explore regional food either by visiting businesses or by taking a cycling route.

More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Paasloo, Blokzijl, Steenwijk, Vollenhove, Scheerwolde, Belt-Schutsloot, Kallenkote, Sint Jansklooster, Ossenzijl, Kalenberg, De Bult, Giethoorn, Steenwijkerwold, Wanneperveen.

For the overview of the wider region: Overijssel.