Kunstwegen is an open-air gallery stretching more than 180 kilometres, connecting art, landscape and history. The international route also crosses an important part of the municipality of Dalfsen and can be explored by bike or on foot. In this way, outdoor art and the landscape become two different sides of the same discovery.
Art, Buildings and Local History
The Grote Kerk in Dalfsen was built in 1178 in the Gothic style. It is aligned east to west and stands on elevated ground. The centre also offers opportunities to discover historic buildings: monumental buildings stand there, and the small streets are ideal for visiting them.
The Palthehof Museum tells the story of Nieuwleusen and its surroundings. Its exhibition themes include objects from everyday life, traditional crafts, industrial activity, agriculture and the Union bicycle factory. A fully furnished classroom is also on display. The objects on show may be rearranged over time. The Nationaal Grammofoonmuseum is housed in Nieuwleusen’s former town hall and offers guided tours every day during opening hours. Check the opening hours before your visit.
Evidence of older settlement can also be seen in specific traces: evidence of settlement dating back more than 5,000 years has been found in Oosterdalfsen. The windmill sites include the Westermolen in the centre of Dalfsen, the Molen van Jan Massier near Westeinde in Nieuwleusen, and the Molen van Fakkert in Hoonhorst.
The Vecht Landscape and Walking Trails
The landscape around the Vecht and its floodplains is shaped by nature, water, cultural history and recreation. The river’s former course can be seen, among other things, in oxbow lakes and river dunes. The Oude Vechtsteeg between Dalfsen and the church village of Hoonhorst also recalls the course of the Vecht from before the Common Era. The landscape ranges from river dunes to esch landscapes and wooded areas, as well as landscapes dotted with country estates.
The Rechterense Veld lies close to Dalfsen. Here, forests meet heathland, old defensive earthworks and field paths. You can walk along the roads and trails; check local conditions before setting out. Another option is the Uiterwaardenpad: this walking route follows the floodplains of the Overijsselse Vecht and starts at Dalfsen NS railway station.
Routes with Different Highlights
The Hakhoutcultuur langs de Vecht route features a variety of surfaces: it passes through woodland and along grassy paths, as well as over paved and unpaved tracks. It starts at Stationsweg 2, 7722 HA Dalfsen. Trains run there twice an hour; check the current timetable before travelling.
The Landgoederenroute also starts at Dalfsen NS railway station. It has 8.5- and 15-kilometre options, allowing you to choose between two stated route lengths. The first stage of the Vechtdalroute offers a longer cycling route: it runs for about 37 kilometres from Zwolle via Dalfsen to Vilsteren. Its approximate distance and the named stage locations give this route a different scale from the two Landgoederenroute options.
The Scharrelroute Dalfsen/Vilsteren combines cycling and farm stops featuring regional products. The products available vary by season. Activities related to recreational boating also take place on the Vecht in Dalfsen.
Discover more destinations: Nieuwleusen, Dalfsen, Lemelerveld, Rijssen-Holten, Losser, Staphorst, Dinkelland, Hardenberg.
For the main travel overview: Overijssel.
