Holiday apartment in Oldebroek: heathland, forest and meadow birds

Oldebroek lies in a part of the Veluwe where Veluwe forests and heathland are connected with dune ridges, springs, streams and wind-blown sand, the transition to the IJssel, and an agricultural cultural landscape. These diverse landscape areas can be experienced through paths, historic sites and nature reserves.

Nature and paths

The Wezepsche Heide is a 260-hectare heathland area with hiking and cycling routes. An entrance near Wezep railway station is the starting point for many routes; the heathland is accessible between sunrise and sunset. In the De Vuursteenberg nature reserve, a 2.5-kilometre red-marked hiking trail runs through heathland and forest.

The IJsselvliedt estate also has two signposted hiking trails: the 4.2-kilometre IJsselvliedt trail has red markings, while the 2.3-kilometre ’t Vinkennest trail has blue markings. The Het Vreepad clog trail covers 16 kilometres through Oldebroek; estates, agricultural landscapes and forests are among its highlights. The 17-kilometre, purple-marked Het Wiseperpad clog trail runs through Wezep and Hattemerbroek and leads through forest and heathland.

The Oosterwolde polder is an open grassland meadow-bird area with few trees, providing a habitat for birds and other animals. Typical meadow birds include the lapwing, black-tailed godwit, redshank, whimbrel and oystercatcher; white-tailed eagles may also possibly be spotted there.

Culture

The Boerderijmuseum De Bovenstreek showcases a fully furnished farmhouse built in 1756, the associated farmyard with outbuildings, and ornamental and kitchen gardens including an orchard. It also contains thousands of exhibits and household objects from approximately 1800 to 1950. Children can dress up, take part in a treasure hunt, play in a real haystack barn and try traditional Dutch games.

The De Hoop windmill in Oldebroek was built in 1853 by Kornelis Blaauw. After its restoration, it has three functions: milling grain, pearl barley production and pressing oil. The mill is open for visits when the blue flag is flying; the miller then offers a tour and explanations of how the mill works.

On the way

The WO2 Oldebroek cycling route is more than 42 kilometres long and can be started at any point. It leads to various Second World War sites in the municipality of Oldebroek, including crash sites, hiding places, streets named after people who were killed and other special locations. Unisex bicycles, electric bicycles, tandems, electric cargo bikes and bicycles with child seats are available for hire in the municipality.

Water and orchard

Canoes and kayaks may travel through the Reevesluis into the Reevediep. There is also an approximately 5-kilometre historical route for canoeing or kayaking, lasting 1.5 to 2 hours, along which historic sites can be discovered using a map. De Veldkamp swimming pool has a 25-metre sports pool and a leisure pool.

At Fruittuin Verbeek, visitors can pick their own fruit in the orchard from the end of June to the end of October. The site includes a fruit-garden café and, in good weather, a spacious terrace overlooking the orchard.

Places in the destination area

Other directly associated places are Oldebroek, Wezep, 'T Loo and Noordeinde.

For the higher-level travel overview: Gelderland.

More destinations

More places within the same destination:

Renkum, Scherpenzeel, Elburg, Putten.