Ijhorst brings together early local history with cultural heritage and nature trails. A chapel already stood in the old town centre in 1292; the named trail markers, starting points and route lengths are also useful when planning your visit.
Local History and Memorial Sites
A chapel already stood in the old town centre in 1292, founded by Zwarte Water Monastery near Hasselt. The wooden bell frame at Kerkweg 10 in IJhorst is a Rijksmonument. According to the Preliminary List, the bell in the IJhorst bell frame was cast by Pieter Seest in 1780. The chapel and bell thus provide two distinct historical reference points for the town.
The memorial to English airmen in IJhorst commemorates six Allied airmen who lost their lives in the surrounding area on 23 December 1942 while fighting the occupying forces. This adds a remembrance of wartime to the town’s architectural history.
Forest History and the Reest Valley
De Witte Bergen is a forest area in IJhorst. Its hills were formed when the upper layer of soil from the adjacent De Vledders area was blown away. More than a century ago, De Witte Bergen became a recreational area for the wider region. The formation of the hills and the area’s former recreational role represent two distinct periods in the landscape’s history.
The Vledders nature area lies between Staphorst and IJhorst and has a rich history in the Reest Valley. The landscape and its history are also useful points of reference when planning, alongside the named places.
Routes and Starting Points
The Cultuur-historische route IJhorst passes through nature and by buildings with a historical background. It follows centuries-old paths and estates. The starting point is opposite Heerenweg 36 in IJhorst; from there, follow the purple arrows of the walking trail network northwards. The markers help you identify this cultural route at the start. The starting point may change; check it before setting out.
The yellow Kuierroute Ywehorst loops around IJhorst and is a cultural heritage route of 11 or 9 kilometres. The two distances offer a clear choice depending on how far you want to walk: 9 kilometres is the shorter option, while 11 kilometres is the longer one. The route starts at the Heerenweg car park in IJhorst, which also has a charging station for electric cars. Route details and information about the car park and charging station may change; check them before travelling.
From Meppel railway station, you can reach the yellow Kuierroute Ywehorst on community bus 592; get off at the Heerenweg (Klomp) stop. Check the latest timetables before travelling so you can plan your journey.
Explore Vledders and Leijerhooilanden
The Vledders and Leijerhooilanden nature area is not open to visitors. You can nevertheless experience it from the paths along its edge and via the yellow walking trail network route from IJhorst. Access rules may change; check the current rules before your visit.
Discover more destinations: Staphorst, Rouveen.
Back to the main travel overview: Staphorst.
