In Sint Jansklooster, nature experiences, local history and recurring festivals sit side by side. De Wieden offers a focus on boat trips and trails; the water tower, the mill and a monastery relic tell the story of the town. The events calendar can also play a part in planning your trip. Which of these aspects interests you most can help you choose the right time to visit and accommodation for your stay.
Explore De Wieden on foot and by water
De Wieden is a wetland area covering more than 6,000 hectares in the Kop van Overijssel. The De Wieden Visitor Centre is located in the first farmhouse on Beulakerpad in Sint Jansklooster and provides information about routes and boat trips. This lets you familiarise yourself with the options in the area on site, without needing to follow a particular schedule.
Boat trips through De Wieden are accompanied by rangers or nature guides. They take place in open, quiet boats. When choosing between a trip on the water and a walk, both the mode of transport and the company make a clear difference. The Vlonderpad, a short 1 km circular route over floating land, is located by the visitor centre. The De Wieden Visitor Centre and one of its walking trails are accessible to wheelchair users; the description of the Vlonderpad does not explicitly identify it as the accessible trail.
Another activity is OERRR Speelnatuur De Wieden. It includes building huts, playing in mud and water, and a barefoot trail. Those looking at different ways to experience De Wieden will find an offering here with activities that differ from a boat trip or a circular walk.
Monastery relic, observation tower and mill
The Muur van Sint Jansklooster is the last tangible remnant of the Sint Janskamp monastery. The monastery was founded in 1399 by the blind monk Johannes van Ommen. This brief history gives the name of the wall remains a specific context: it points to a monastery founded in the late 14th century and to its founder, whose name has been passed down.
Another landmark is the Sint Jansklooster water tower. It was built in 1931–1932 and officially opened as an observation tower in 2014. A wooden staircase leads up; from a height of 45 metres, you can look out over De Wieden. Reservations are recommended for a visit. The tower thus combines its history with views over the natural landscape, though the two need not be confined to the same time.
The Monnikenmolen is a fully restored, octagonal Dutch windmill in Sint Jansklooster. It still grinds grain into flour. Pancakes made with its flour are served in the mill’s visitor centre; opening hours vary by season. The mill and its pancakes provide another seasonal point of interest during your stay, alongside nature and local history.
Festivals and seasonal planning
The Bloemencorso Sint Jansklooster takes place every year on the third Friday in August. During the parade, thirteen or fourteen floats make their way through Sint Jansklooster. Since 2000, the corso has been presented as a theatre parade. The fixed date and the format of the procession make the festival a different reason to travel from a visit focused mainly on trails, boat trips or historic places.
The Kloostermarkt is also part of the recurring events calendar: it has been held every year on King’s Day in Sint Jansklooster since 1978. Dates and programme details may change; if you are travelling specifically for the event, check the latest information. If you visit during the months when seasonal activities are on offer, it is also worth checking their opening times.
There are also two specific starting points to help you plan your outings. The cultural and historical cycling route through De Wieden starts at the De Wieden Visitor Centre in Sint Jansklooster. From the May holidays through to the end of September, the Waterbus connects Sint Jansklooster with Giethoorn and Blokzijl twice a day. Check the current timetable before travelling. Together with the event dates, this seasonal information can help you plan your visit around what you would like to experience locally.
Discover more destinations: Blokzijl, Scheerwolde, Wanneperveen, Steenwijkerwold, De Bult, Paasloo, Steenwijk, Kallenkote
For the broader travel overview: Steenwijkerland.
