Olburgen’s character is shaped by its location: the village centre sits on a natural rise in the IJssel landscape, directly beside the river floodplains. The open landscape around the village includes pastures, dikes and old river channels. In Olburgerwaard, grasslands, old river channels and lakes define the scenery; the lakes were created through clay and sand extraction. If you are looking for accommodation in Olburgen, you can first consider whether you would like to focus your stay more on the landscape, water, cycling or local history.

River landscape and water at Zwarte Schaar

Olburgerwaard is part of the Rijntakken Natura 2000 area. Together with the village centre’s location beside the river floodplains, this gives the landscape a clear connection to the river. At the same time, its specific features differ: pastures, dikes and old river channels describe the open landscape around Olburgen, while grasslands, river channels and lakes created through clay and sand extraction are features of Olburgerwaard. The landscape cannot therefore be reduced to a single theme.

At Marina Strandbad, you can rent a canoe or SUP board. At Zwarte Schaar, Marina Strandbad has a sandy beach right by the water. This gives you two different ways to enjoy the water: a rental option for paddling and a sandy beach on the shore. When planning your time by the water, you can decide whether paddling or spending time at the beach should be the focus.

Cycling and a ferry crossing

The Dorpen in het ijssellandschap cycling route includes Olburgen and is followed using numbered junction signs. Another cycling tour goes from Olburgen to the historic Hanseatic town of Doesburg and back. It is about 19 kilometres long. The two routes offer different points of reference when choosing: for one, Olburgen’s place on the cycling route and its junction signage are specific features; for the other, Doesburg as the destination and the approximate total distance are specified.

The Pontjesroute bij Bronkhorst crosses the river by ferry from Dieren to Olburgen. This adds a route that explicitly crosses the river to the village’s cycling options. If you plan to take this ferry, check the timetable before setting out. The route to Doesburg and the ferry route thus offer different planning options: an approximate round trip associated with a historic town, or a crossing between Dieren and Olburgen.

Dorakapel, cemetery and Sint-Willibrorduskerk

The village’s history is also reflected in specific places. The cemetery, with its funerary chapel and surrounding wall at Olburgseweg 2, was established from 1855 onwards. In 2010, Archbishop Eijk blessed the Dorakapel at the cemetery. It was established in honour of Dorothea Visser, who lived in the 19th century. Believers and priests pray at Dora Visser’s grave in Olburgen.

The Sint-Willibrorduskerk in Olburgen dates from 1869 and has been protected as a Rijksmonument since 1976. Together with the Dorakapel and the cemetery, it offers another connection to the village’s religious and architectural history. The dates refer to different aspects: the cemetery’s establishment from 1855 onwards, the church’s construction in 1869, its protection in 1976 and the blessing of the Dorakapel in 2010. If you would like to take cultural history into account when planning your trip, several named places and their respective historical connections are available to explore.

Discover more destinations: Vorden, Wichmond, Steenderen, Bronckhorst, Halle, Toldijk, Hengelo, Baak

Return to the main travel overview: Bronckhorst.