Holiday apartment in Hardenberg – between the Vecht, art and history

A holiday apartment in Hardenberg is ideal for a stay combining riverside landscapes, outdoor activities and local history. On the Vecht, the De Koppel Nature Activity Centre is located near a weir and lock; it can be reached on foot from the town centre. The Koppeltuinen gardens lie behind De Koppel in the Vecht floodplains. The garden complex covers almost three hectares. De Koppel’s programme of activities also includes mushroom excursions.

Water and activities along the Vecht

A special attraction for canoeing enthusiasts is the whitewater canoe course in Hardenberg. It is the first course in the Netherlands to make use of a river’s natural gradient. Along its 140-metre length, it negotiates a difference in elevation of 1.5 metres. Individual canoeists and clubs can use the course free of charge because it does not require pumps.

Cyclists also have a clearly defined route to choose from: the Hardenberg mountain bike route is 23 kilometres long and runs through a densely wooded area. It starts and ends at the Oldemeijer car park. For hikers, the 19-kilometre Pieterpad stage from Coevorden to Hardenberg is a good option. The different route lengths make it easier to choose active days that fit your own plans.

Art trails and hiking stages

Kunstwegen combines art and nature along a 180-kilometre art route featuring 80 works of art. Along the route, hikers can complete stages between the NS railway stations in Zwolle, Dalfsen, Ommen, Mariënberg, Hardenberg and Gramsbergen. The route is signposted with white-and-blue markings, making it suitable for exploring individual sections over the course of several days.

Hardenberg’s history in the town centre

The Museum 't Stadhuus is housed in Hardenberg’s former town hall, dating from 1805. It has an archaeological department featuring special finds from the area around Hardenberg, as well as departments focusing on Hardenberg’s Jewish residents and the Molengoot Jewish labour camp. A reconstructed section of the medieval town wall uses original materials. The town wall is a Rijksmonument, a designated national heritage monument, and was completely restored in 2019.

A guided historical walking tour through Hardenberg lasts approximately two hours and starts at the Museum 't Stadhuus. In addition, the “Historical walk 75 years of freedom” was developed as a historical walking route through Hardenberg town centre focusing on the history of the Holocaust in the town centre; the accompanying booklet can be downloaded. This makes it possible to combine local history and outdoor activity directly.

Orientation for your stay

The Poortlijn marks the entrance to Vechtpark with a gateway bearing the inscription “VECHTPARK”. For the Hardenberg–Ommen Pieterpad stage, Markt 50 in Hardenberg is listed as the nearest address; P+R Hardenberg at Gaardenstraat 2C is provided as the associated car park. If you choose a holiday apartment or holiday home in Hardenberg, these different starting points can be helpful when planning your days: sports routes, riverside landscapes, art trails and historical routes each offer their own focus.

You can discover other destinations in the same region through this selection: Gramsbergen, Slagharen, Diffelen, Bergentheim, Balkbrug, Sibculo, Rheezerveen and Bruchterveld.

To the main travel overview: Hardenberg.