In Raalte, local discoveries meet trails through a varied landscape. The 5 km Dorpswandeling takes you through the village and introduces its history. The 18 km Van kerk naar kasteel walking route covers a wider area: it passes through Raalte, Boetelerveld, Schoonheten and Heeterveld, revealing the cultural and historical story of the landscape.
From the village centre into the landscape
The Van kerk naar kasteel route begins and ends at the Plaskerk. If you are looking for a shorter walk, the 4 km Boetelerveld walking route offers a different perspective: it leads through the remaining wet heathland near Raalte, which is home to rare plants and animals. To protect this sensitive habitat, stay on the marked paths.
Boetelerveld is a 170-hectare nature area designated as a Natura 2000 site. It is known for the marsh gentian and great crested newt. Features of the landscape include two natural heathland pools, Grote Rietgat and Kleine Turfgat, as well as watering places created for grazing animals. Water levels can change with the seasons. As you follow the paths, you can appreciate both the extent of the nature area and its individual habitats.
De Luttenberg offers a different landscape experience: this nature area borders the village of Luttenberg and is part of Sallandse Heuvelrug National Park. A short path here has noticeable elevation changes. The Luttenberg Belevingsroute offers another focus. It passes through woodland and heathland, combining information about plants, animals and cultural heritage in a family-friendly educational route suitable for children up to 12 years old.
Archaeology and routes around Heeten
In Heeten, the Germanenkamer at KulturhusTrefpunt presents archaeological finds, as well as 3D images, animations and film footage about the Germanic peoples in Heeten. The approximately 3 km Expeditie Heeten starts at the Germanenkamer and leads to places where special archaeological finds were discovered. If you would rather explore the subject by bike, you can follow the route of around 35 km, which is also part of Expeditie Heeten. It passes through the countryside around Heeten and by canal bridges, a V1 launch site and historic farmhouses. Check the current route materials before setting off, and find out about reservation requirements if you plan to visit the Germanenkamer.
The Van kerk naar kasteel route also combines exercise with cultural history, but covers a longer distance and passes through several named landscapes. The shorter Dorpswandeling, by contrast, stays in the village and focuses on Raalte’s history. The different lengths and themes help you choose a tour that suits your interests and the time you have available, without requiring you to follow a fixed itinerary.
Churches, gardens and local culture
The Plaskerk in Raalte is a single-nave Late Gothic church. Its distinctive features include religious secco ceiling paintings from the 15th century. Access to the interior may depend on the church’s rules. In Mariënheem, the Onze Lieve Vrouw ten Hemelopneming complex comprises a church and a rectory, built in 1937 in a style influenced by the Delft School; access to the interior may also vary here.
For a different view of Mariënheem, visit Beeldentuin Mariënheem, a visitor garden and gallery covering more than 3 hectares. Ponds, lawns, trees and an orchard shape the grounds, while sculptures and other objects can be seen outdoors. Exhibitions and opening arrangements may change, so it is worth checking before your visit. At Tuinen van Salland, some participating gardens are open to the public on the first Sunday of each month. Groups can arrange guided tours, including coffee, tea and a treat, subject to agreement and the participating location.
If you would like to get creative yourself, Magies Glas in Raalte offers workshops in leaded glass, Tiffany glass, glass painting, fusing, slumping and casting. Check dates and booking requirements in advance. At Dijkman Klompenatelier in Luttenberg, visitors can watch demonstrations of clog making; dates for these may also change.
Film, theatre and special events
FilmHuisRaalte screens films in the Annahuis film room at De Plas 8 in Raalte. The HOFtheater in Raalte has a circular auditorium with 300 seats and presents around 80 professional performances each year; the programme may change. The cinema and theatre add their own programme of events to the walks and cultural sites.
The American Motorcycle Museum in Raalte houses a collection of American motorcycles dating from the early 20th century to the 1980s. The museum is accessible by bus or train. It is about a ten-minute walk from Raalte station on the Zwolle–Enschede line; bus route 165 runs from Deventer to this station. Check current timetables before travelling. The museum holds a swap meet twice a year; exact dates may change.
Stöppelhaene is another highlight of the events calendar: during the five-day festival, numerous activities take place throughout Raalte’s town centre. The festival originated as a harvest festival at the end of summer. Dates and programme change each year, so check the details for your visit.
Discover more destinations: Heeten, Heino, Nieuw-Heeten, Raalte, Laag Zuthem, Luttenberg, Broekland, Enschede.
For the overview of the wider region: Overijssel.
