In Vechtpark Hardenberg, town and nature blend together. Around Hardenberg, about 1,000 hectares of coniferous and deciduous forest stretch across the landscape. This gives the municipality a setting for days spent among scenic trails, nature watching, art and history. When looking for accommodation, it helps to decide on a focus early: a trail through different landscapes, winter birds or cultural sites each shape a different day plan. You do not have to fit every destination into a single route; choose excursions to suit the themes that interest you.
Forests, dunes and birdwatching
Rheezerbelten is a wooded landscape of wind-blown dunes with oak coppice. Here, you can picnic and wander through the sand. Rare bird species can be found at the Vloeivelden De Krim; in winter, the wetlands attract large flocks of taiga and tundra bean geese. This makes goose watching a specific seasonal highlight. You can also spot roe deer and birds of prey along the many cycling and hiking trails around Hardenberg. Sightings are seasonal and not guaranteed. The River Reest forms the natural boundary between the municipality of Hardenberg and the province of Drenthe—a distinctive landmark in the landscape.
Hiking and cycling with different highlights
The Reestdal hiking route starts at the De Wheem visitor centre in Balkbrug. It passes through forest and heathland, along sandy paths and waterways. The Oldemeijer Landscchappenroute focuses on a body of water, heathland and open countryside with views of the Vecht Valley. The two descriptions offer different landscapes to help you choose a hike, without specifying a walking time.
Kunstwegen connects art and landscape along the Overijsselse Vecht: the art route is 180 kilometres long and includes 80 works of art. Hiking sections of the route connect, among other places, the NS railway stations in Hardenberg and Gramsbergen. Check the signs and train connections before setting off. Mountain bikers can follow a designated 23-kilometre route near Hardenberg, starting and ending at the Oldemeijer car park. Route details may be updated; check them before your ride.
Another cycling route passes a buffalo farm in Radewijk, where you can enjoy buffalo ice cream, and eventually reaches Laar in Germany. The ice cream is available seasonally. The municipality of Hardenberg has tourist transfer points in Hardenberg, Balkbrug and Gramsbergen. They are easy to reach by car and offer free parking; check parking options before setting off.
Culture and special activities
The Historisch Cultureel Vechtdal Info Centrum Gramsbergen showcases monuments, landscapes and leisure activities, and presents the history of the Vecht Valley. The Natuuractiviteitencentrum De Koppel offers nature activities such as mushroom excursions and examining owl pellets. Some activities may vary by season. A museum in Hardenberg’s former town hall, dating from 1805, displays historic rooms as well as a kitchen from around 1900.
The area’s distinctive windmill on a mill mound is another specific cultural highlight: it dates from 1864. You can watch grain being milled there on Saturdays and, in summer, on Wednesday afternoons too. Visiting hours may vary by day; check in advance. For a different experience, Slagharen amusement park offers more than 30 attractions in a Wild West setting. The attractions on offer may change over time.
A day of swimming at Oldemeijer
De Oldemeijer recreation area is a natural-water swimming lake in a wooded setting. The lake bed slopes gradually. Water conditions and access for swimming may change; check conditions locally. In good weather, the site’s kiosk serves snacks, ice cream and drinks. The kiosk operates seasonally, so it is advisable to check availability before you arrive.
Discover more destinations: Ane, Balkbrug, Bergentheim, Gramsbergen, Hardenberg, Lutten, Rheeze, Rheezerveen, Slagharen, Loozen, Sibculo, Schuinesloot, Dedemsvaart, Collendoorn, Diffelen, Bruchterveld.
Back to the main travel overview: Overijssel.
