In Dronten’s Oostrand, 60-year-old deciduous and coniferous forests alternate with extensive areas of farmland. Roggebotzand is the oldest forest in Oostelijk-Flevoland; its many paths invite you to go hiking. Pine martens and white-tailed eagles can be found there, and you may also spot deer. If you would like to combine nature and cultural history, you’ll find several walking routes in the Dronten area created by IVN Dronten, with information on both subjects.
Walking trails between forest and landscape
The routes have different focuses and vary in length. The paved 2.1-kilometre Mindervalidenpad Wisentbos walking trail is suitable for wheelchair users and people with physical disabilities. The cultural history route De Abbert passes through the Reve-Abbertbos near Dronten and is 5.5 kilometres long. The 4.4-kilometre Stobbenroute also runs entirely through the Reve-Abbert forest, within the municipality of Dronten; along the way, you can see sheep, cattle and ponies. The 3.5-kilometre Swifterbos nature walk is in the municipality of Dronten and passes through a varied landscape with different landforms. The 8.3-kilometre Beverroute Dronten leads through the Harderbos, where you can look for signs of beavers.
The seven-hectare Torenbosje is also one of Flevoland’s oldest forests. It has a nature-themed playground and several picnic benches. A historical treasure hunt covers 1.5 kilometres and can be completed daily from sunrise to sunset; seasonal conditions may affect the experience.
You can explore the Oostrand by bicycle on a 62.2-kilometre route that can be divided into shorter sections. The Polderroute Dronten starts at the TOP Veluwemeer/Spijkstrand tourist transfer point in Biddinghuizen. It follows the coast of the Veluwerandmeren, passes through the Harderbos and goes by the Walibi Holland amusement park. Walibi Holland offers 40 attractions, including eight roller coasters.
Discover art and cultural history
The Lixenberg art route “25 + 1” consists of 26 sculptures in public spaces. They were created in 1997 to mark Dronten’s 25th anniversary. The Lixenberg art route in Dronten and Flevoland can be explored on foot, by bicycle or by car. In the Oostrand, the art and culture route “BeKIJK het in de Oostrand” explores local history and culture.
Near Biddinghuizen stands the land art installation Riff, PD#18245. It is one of ten land art installations in Flevoland and was part of the celebrations marking the 100th anniversary of the Zuiderzee Act. The former harbour head Kop van 't Ende also tells the story of the landscape: after Oostelijk-Flevoland was reclaimed, it was preserved as a monument. De Meerpaal is considered part of Oostelijk-Flevoland’s heritage and offers cinema, theatre, concerts, cabaret and other stage performances. The Mechanisch Erfgoed Centrum displays historic internal combustion engines, steam engines and locomotives, as well as vehicles, sewing machines, toys, old tools and a large collection of agricultural equipment.
Water, leisure and local flavours
The municipality of Dronten has a 60-kilometre coastline with beaches, extensive lakes and numerous small islands. The lakes and waterways offer opportunities for sailing, windsurfing, wakeboarding, stand-up paddleboarding and canoeing. The Watersportvereniging Dronten offers visiting boaters a mooring at its harbour in the centre of Dronten; visitor availability is seasonal.
The De Abelen outdoor swimming pool in Swifterbant has a competition pool, a teaching pool and a sunbathing lawn measuring approximately 50 by 70 metres. Water activities are held there regularly, including aqua jogging, Zwem4daagse, water treasure hunts, water volleyball and tug-of-war. Shortgolf Swifterbant is a natural 18-hole golf course: no proof of golfing ability is required, and equipment is provided on site.
For a tasting, Brouwerij Artemis offers a room on a farm where you can sample its beers, as well as Flevoland juices and other drinks. In spring, the tulip De Polder Pink brings colour to fields and many places in Dronten, Swifterbant and Biddinghuizen. Dronten can be reached via the Hanzelijn, with train connections from Zwolle, Lelystad and Amsterdam Centraal.
Discover more destinations: Biddinghuizen, Dronten, Almere, Zeewolde, Urk, Noordoostpolder, Lelystad.
Back to the main travel overview: Flevoland.
