Dalmsholte offers four different hiking routes, varying in both length and landscape. One trailhead is on Oude Raalterweg/Dalmsholterdijk in Ommen, where you can access all four routes. The circular routes start and end in Dalmsholte. You can narrow down your options by asking two straightforward questions: How long would you like the route to be, and what kind of landscape would you like to experience along the way? Distances and descriptions of heathland, forest and farmland provide different points of reference.

Four circular routes to choose from

At 3.9 kilometres, the Oranje Route is the shortest of the four loops. The Paarse covers 8.0 kilometres, the Groene 9.0 kilometres and the Blauwe 10.7 kilometres. The difference between the Paarse and Groene is one kilometre; the Blauwe is almost three times as long as the Oranje. All four circular routes start and end in Dalmsholte. If you choose by distance first, you have a clear range to choose from, from the Oranje to the Blauwe. Next, look at the landscape along the way to distinguish the routes by their individual character as well.

Heathland, forest and farmland

The Groene Route runs roughly half along heathland and half through forest. It is also almost entirely unpaved. On the Paarse Route, sections alongside heathland, through forest and alongside farmland each account for roughly a quarter of the route. It thus takes in three landscape types in similar proportions. The Blauwe Route runs for more than half its length alongside heathland; roughly half of the route goes through forest. The Oranje Route runs mostly alongside heathland. For more than half of the route, sections of landscape alternate with forest.

By comparison, the Oranje focuses more on heathland than the Groene, which is divided almost evenly between heathland and forest. The Paarse also features farmland, while the Blauwe combines a high proportion of heathland with roughly half as much forest. If you are choosing a route based on its landscape, you can consider these profiles alongside the distance rather than treating the four paths as interchangeable circular walks.

Landscape and cheese-making

The landscape covered by the Dalmsholte regional brand lies on the edge of the high sandy soils and features oak coppice banks and marshy, rugged common land. Alongside the route profiles featuring heathland, forest and farmland, the wider landscape also includes the edge of the high sandy soils, oak coppice banks and damp common land.

At Kaasboerderij Heileuver, cheese is made from the milk of Frisian Holstein cows, including plain and herb cheeses. These varieties are sold, among other places, in the farm shop. A 2026 listing by the cultural foundation also mentions tours of the cheese dairy at Kaasboerderij en Schilderijenhuis Heileuver. If you are considering taking a tour, check booking options and current availability before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Lemele, Giethmen, Beerzerveld, Vilsteren, Stegeren, Beerze, Ommen, Arrien.

Go to the main travel overview: Ommen.