Holterberg forms the southern part of De Sallandse Heuvelrug National Park. Extensive heathland and forests shape this landscape; museums, memorial sites and historic trails add to the things to discover in Rijssen-Holten. You can choose what to focus on according to your interests: nature, regional history or a combination of both.
Holterberg and De Borkeld
At Holterberg, you can hike, cycle and go mountain biking. It is also home to sand lizards, black grouse, foxes and goshawks. At the Natuurmuseum Holterberg, life-size dioramas and a collection of more than 1,000 European animals illustrate the animal world. The museum houses an information point for De Sallandse Heuvelrug National Park and a tourist information point; various walking and cycling routes start from there.
De Borkeld is a heathland area between Holten, Rijssen and Markelo. Signposted walking, cycling and horse-riding trails run through the woods around the recreation area. The landscape’s history is also visible: several burial mounds dating from before the Common Era are located in De Borkeld. The combination of heathland, forest and archaeological traces gives this area its own focus for exploration.
Trails for different interests
In Rijssen-Holten, you can put together short and long walks to suit your preferences on a signposted network of trails. The Ommetje Holterberg circular route is 7.7 kilometres long and starts at the Dagrecreatieterrein Holterberg. Other routes pass through the municipality, including the Pieterpad, the Reggepad, the Marskramerpad and the Sallandse Zandloper. There is an extensive cycling network, which you can use via numbered junctions.
The Wereldtijdpad offers a special combination of walking and history: the 50-kilometre trail runs between Rijssen and Holten. More than 2,000 year posts stand along the route; each one features information and an image relating to a particular year. Themed walks on the Wereldtijdpad are between 4 and 10 kilometres long. You can choose between these shorter options and the longer trail, while the Ommetje Holterberg offers a separate circular route with a specified length and starting point.
Museums and historic traces
The Informatiecentrum Canadese Begraafplaats Holten presents stories, images and exhibitions about the 1,394 graves in the field of honour. The Internationaal Brandweermuseum in Rijssen focuses on firefighting equipment from around the world and its development over the centuries. The collection comprises around 15,000 objects, including helmets from Japan, South Africa and China, as well as complete fire engines from before the Second World War.
The Rijssens Leemspoor also brings local history to life. The historic Leemspoor network transported clay from pits to the brickworks in Rijssen and extended for around 12 kilometres between Rijssen and Markelo. The Rijssens Leemspoor is a narrow-gauge railway in Rijssen, at the foot of the Rijsserberg, which you can visit; visitors can ride on it.
The Rijssens Museum is housed in Havezate de Oosterhof. The Museumgalerie de Oosterhof hosts duo exhibitions by recognised artists six times a year; the exhibition programme may change. Parkgebouw Rijssen was built around 1914 at the request of jute manufacturer Ter Horst as a cultural centre for the people of Rijssen. The building is significant for its cultural history, architectural history and urban planning; theatre performances are still held there.
More experiences and practical information
The Enterse Zomp is a traditional flat-bottomed boat that, among other things, transported wood and peat along the Regge in the 18th century. During the boating season, it offers trips of around an hour from the Pelmolen in Rijssen. As seasonal trips may change, it is advisable to check the dates before your visit.
If you’re travelling with children, they can complete nature challenges, play, build dens and have picnics in the Bos van Daantje Das. Speelboerderij Dondertman in Holten is a family attraction with a large number of animals. It is located on walking and cycling routes, making it a suitable starting point or place to stop for a break.
You can also combine culinary stops with some exercise: Happen & Stappen in Holten combines a walking route with several stops at local restaurants. Walks of 10, 14 or 17 kilometres are available. At the market in Holten, you’ll find artisan regional products, delicacies and regional specialities. In Rijssen, the Lommerdmarkten traditionally take place in the town centre on five consecutive Thursdays in summer; check the specific dates for your trip.
For free all-day parking in Holten, consider the Groentransferium or P+N Dorp next to the NS railway station. P+N Berg is suitable for shorter visits to Holterberg. Check the parking regulations before you arrive.
Discover more destinations: Holten, Rijssen, Losser, Raalte, Zwolle, Dinkelland, Haaksbergen, Twenterand.
For the overarching travel overview: Overijssel.
