Rheeze combines a protected village character with walking destinations nearby. In the village, the well-preserved village green shapes the landscape; in the surrounding countryside, a sandy ridge with viewpoints and two routes of different lengths await. This makes it possible to explore the village layout and nature as separate highlights, without having to combine them into a single outing.
Village green and agricultural heritage
Rheeze is designated as a protected village conservation area in the municipality of Hardenberg, in the province of Overijssel, under reference number 1388. The well-preserved village green, the Brink, is particularly characteristic. The village’s farms are grouped around it; their layout makes the Brink a defining feature of the village. The old farm barns also give Rheeze a distinctive architectural detail: many are made of darkened wood and have sections of woven reedwork. Many of these barns are Rijksmonumenten, or nationally protected monuments. Those interested in agricultural architecture will find more than individual historic buildings here: the village green and the farms together form the village’s characteristic focal point.
Sandy ridge and river landscape
Just north of Rheeze lies the nearby Rheezerbelten, a windblown cover-sand ridge with oak coppice woodland. From the sandy hills, the view stretches across the lower-lying Vechtdal valley. There are also opportunities nearby for picnicking and wandering over the sandy hills. This makes the Rheezerbelten a landscape highlight in its own right, alongside the village green.
The landscape also includes higher-lying esch fields along the Vecht, which belong to the Marke Rheeze. Together, they form the Rheezer Esch. De Hui, in turn, is the field name for the Vecht’s floodplain grasslands in this area. These terms refer to different landscape features: esch fields, river floodplains and the wooded cover-sand ridge. Together, they help provide a more precise picture of the varied landscape around Rheeze, without reducing it to a single viewpoint.
Two routes with different starting points
The 12.8 km “Rondje Rheeze” route starts at the De Oldemeijer recreation lake, is marked with yellow arrows and passes the Brink village of Rheeze. The nearby 11 km “Verwonderroute De Rheezermaten” can also be started at De Rheezerbelten. The two routes therefore differ both in length and starting point.
When choosing, it may help to compare the starting point first and then the route length: De Oldemeijer is the starting point for “Rondje Rheeze”, while De Rheezerbelten is the starting point for the “Verwonderroute De Rheezermaten”. The views across the Vechtdal and the opportunities for picnicking are at the Rheezerbelten. If you want to focus on the Brink, you will find it along the “Rondje Rheeze” route, which passes through the village. This keeps the choice of route separate from the landscape or village experience you are looking for.
Museum and day trip
The Natuurmuseum Rheeze-Marke is in the village, on one of the many cycling routes in the municipality of Hardenberg. As part of the “Vechtslinger” day trip, the museum offers a puzzle trail for teams, with touch-and-find activities. At Aspergeboerderij Het Nijenhuis, participants prepare something tasty together during the tour. The day trip therefore combines team activities with a shared farm experience; its character differs from that of the two walking routes. If you are planning to take the “Vechtslinger”, check with the provider in advance whether the tour is currently running.
The Rheezer-Marke displays 400 prepared animals, some of them in a diorama. As exhibitions can change, if you have a particular interest, it is worth checking what is currently on display before your visit.
Explore by bike too
There are two specific pointers for planning a cycling trip: the Natuurmuseum Rheeze-Marke is on one of the cycling routes in the municipality of Hardenberg, and the cycle path between Hardenberg and Rheeze has been renewed. Check the current route before setting out.
Discover more destinations: Slagharen, Bruchterveld, Ane, Rheezerveen, Loozen, Gramsbergen, Bergentheim, Lutten.
For the main travel overview: Hardenberg.
