Olst can be explored through two distinct themes: the water-rich nature of the nearby Duursche Waarden and a local history dating back to the first documented mention of the Holsto estate in 947. Trails, birdwatching and landscapes sit alongside church, local and military history.
Nature and trails
The Duursche Waarden nature development area lies near Olst on the IJssel. The area is rich in water and marshy; an observation tower and birdwatching hides are distinctive features of the landscape. If you are interested in nature and birdwatching, you can enjoy both here in one area.
The IJssel Den Nul Information Centre is located on the Rijksstraatweg, near Olst and Wijhe. It is considered a gateway to the Duursche Waarden nature area, and several walks start there. The building has an exhibition room and information about the area’s nature and culture. This lets you combine a walk with an exhibition and regional topics. Check the information centre’s opening details in advance.
Nature is freely accessible in the area around the Fortmond brickworks in the Duursche Waarden. A barefoot—or boot—trail runs between the birdwatching hide and the observation tower. Check local access conditions before visiting. The trail is a practical option if you would like to experience nature beyond the observation points.
For a walk with set start and end points, there is a shorter version of the Olst-Wijhe route: it runs from Olst station to Wijhe station, is approximately 11 kilometres long, and allows you to return by train. Check the timetable for your return journey before setting off. This way, you can factor the approximate route length into your day’s plans without treating the walk as a circular route.
History around Olst
The Holsto estate was first mentioned in a document in 947. It stood on an old river dune on the IJssel, on the site of the present-day village of Olst. The Willibrord Church, now generally called the village church, stands at the highest point of a river dune in the central area of the former Holsto estate, which belonged to the convent of Essen.
An independent parish was established in Olst in the 13th century. Its foundation may have been prepared around 1234, when Bishop Otto I stayed at his estate in Olst; the new parish church, the Willibrord Church, may also have been consecrated on that occasion. The medieval centre of the village lay around the village church and spread northwards along what is now Van Limburg Stirumstraat in the 12th and 13th centuries. Taken together, these details show both the church’s role as a focal point and the development of the village centre over several centuries.
De Haere also brings together different periods: a folly was built there as a garden ornament in 1870. The Hof ter Hare (Haer) estate associated with De Haere is documented as far back as the 14th century. The Museum Oud Keukengerei in Olst adds to this perspective with household utensils dating from 1900 to the present day.
Olst’s transport history includes its connection to the railway network on 1 October 1866. On that day, the Maatschappij tot Exploitatie van de Staatsspoorwegen (SS) officially opened the Arnhem–Zwolle line. The date adds a specific turning point in the development of transport to the local history.
Mill and IJssel Line
Bökkers Mölle is a national monument on the edge of the IJssel floodplains in Olst. The mill is currently used as a grain mill by volunteers. If you are planning a visit, check the current visiting options in advance.
The IJssellinie Foundation regularly offers guided tours and also arranges them on request. As tour arrangements may change, check current dates and details before making plans.
At De Haere, a sluice in the river dike was part of the IJssel Line. The line was designed to be able to flood a 120-kilometre-long and 10-kilometre-wide strip of land along the IJssel, between Kampen and Nijmegen. The sluice and the scale of the planned strip offer a concrete insight into the dimensions of this project.
Discover more destinations: Wesepe, Welsum, Wijhe
For the main travel overview: Olst-Wijhe.
