Den Ham combines local history with a varied cultural landscape and specific walking destinations. When planning, you can consider cultural sites and natural areas as distinct focal points; the walks also differ in their starting points, length and route.

Landscape and Walking Trails

Den Ham lies in the valuable cultural landscape of Vecht en Regge. The centuries-old Eerder Achterbroek nature area borders it to the north. Forests, heathland, bodies of water and wind-blown sand shape the area. De Zandstuve is a hilly area with heathland and various tree species, as well as a rich diversity of animal and plant life. This allows you to distinguish between two natural profiles: De Zandstuve is hilly and rich in biodiversity, while Eerder Achterbroek combines other landscape features, including bodies of water and wind-blown sand.

Visitors are welcome to walk in the De Zandstuve nature area; several trails run through it. The Hammerbezinningswandeling starts at the Brink and is longer than 4.5 kilometres. The 15-kilometre final section of the Twenterandpad leads from the canal-side town of Vroomshoop towards Den Ham, via the Mageler Es, to the Eerder Achterbroek nature area. When comparing the routes, it is important to note the reference point: the Hammerbezinningswandeling is longer than 4.5 kilometres, while the 15 kilometres of the Twenterandpad refer to its final section.

On the Mageler Es, the landscape is shaped by a ring of farmsteads; a Jewish cemetery lies in the middle of the open fields. Thus, agricultural character and a Jewish cemetery are distinct features found side by side in the same landscape.

Local History and Culture

For centuries, the Brink has been Den Ham’s central square. People of all ages still gather there for various festivals.

The Streekmuseum in the Middendorpshuis Den Ham presents the history of Den Ham, Vroomshoop and Geerdijk through a range of topics. Its historical perspective therefore covers three places, not just Den Ham. The Expositiehuis also holds regular art exhibitions in the same building. The Middendorpshuis is open Wednesday to Saturday, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Check these opening hours before your visit if you are planning to visit the museum or an exhibition.

The Streekmuseum focuses on thematic history; De kerk van Den Ham, by contrast, highlights architectural history, heritage protection and dated bells.

The tower and church of De kerk van Den Ham are listed as Rijksmonumenten, meaning nationally protected monuments in the Netherlands. Only the tower of the old church building remains; it has Gothic pointed-arch windows. A pointed arch tapers to a point at the top, unlike an arch with a rounded top. This illustrates a characteristic feature of Gothic architecture in the windows. The two older bells in the tower were made in 1414 and 1520, so they date from two different centuries.

Discover more destinations: Westerhaar-Vriezenveen.

Go to the broader travel overview: Twenterand.