Varsselder combines rural paths with an unusually hands-on theme: at the Min40Celsius Visitor Centre, visitors can dig for bones and work like palaeontologists. There is also a supervised children’s programme, search excursions, and opportunities for walking and cycling towards Ulft, Gendringen and the surrounding hamlets. The village’s history also offers clear points of interest—from a mention in the 15th century to the church’s designation as a municipal monument. For planning a trip, these can be divided into three main themes: the Ice Age and geological history, tours through a rural landscape, and local history.

Hands-on geological history

The Min40Celsius Visitor Centre in Varsselder explores the landscape of the Achterhoek and the Ice Ages. Visitors can dig for bones there and work like palaeontologists. For travellers who want to experience geological history not only as a subject but also through a hands-on search activity, this is a clear point of interest.

The supervised children’s programme “IJskoud kinderfeestje” includes making a fire, making a soapstone amulet, digging for bones and fossils, and a treasure hunt in the museum. The programme thus covers several kinds of activities: making a fire, creating something, digging for finds, and exploring the museum on a treasure hunt.

On the search excursions, participants first make a brief visit to the visitor centre and then search for stones, fossils and bones at the Azewijnse Broek sand extraction site. Compared with digging at the centre, stones are an additional search target, and the activity takes place at another location. If you plan to join an excursion, check the published dates.

Rural paths and a cycling link

The area around Varsselder is rural in character, with fields, meadows and quiet roads shaping the landscape. From here, visitors can walk and cycle towards Ulft, Gendringen and the surrounding hamlets. A dedicated cycle path runs between Varsselder and Ulft and serves as an important school route by bicycle. The cycle path provides a direct link to Ulft; walking and cycling opportunities extend further towards Gendringen and the surrounding hamlets. This distinction helps separate a single cycling link from broader directions for tours.

Local history and a monument

Varsselder was mentioned as a hamlet as early as the 15th century. The Martelaren van Gorcumkerk in Varsselder is designated as a municipal monument. The end of the Molen van Lukassen is also part of local history: after years of decay, it was demolished in 1973. The dates mark different events: the 15th century refers to the mention of the hamlet, while 1973 is the year the mill was demolished; the municipal monument status applies to the church. This makes it possible to view settlement history, monument status and the story of a demolished building as distinct aspects of Varsselder.

Discover more destinations: Westendorp, Breedenbroek, Silvolde, Terborg, Varsseveld, Sinderen, Ulft

Return to the main travel overview: Oude Ijsselstreek.