Holiday apartment in Overdinkel: Textile Route, nature and smuggling history

Overdinkel combines textile history, experiences near the border and nature within a compact thematic area. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Overdinkel, you will discover a place shaped as much by Twente’s textile industry as by cycling and hiking routes, religious sites and stories of smuggling passed down through the generations.

Textile history on two wheels

The Losser–Overdinkel–Lonnekerberg Textile Route focuses on Twente’s textile industry. Its history dates back to around 1900: Overdinkel emerged near the German border when textile manufacturers built homes for textile workers. This directly links the development of the town to the region’s industrial past.

The route surface is also one of the practical features of the Textile Route. It runs mostly along paved cycle paths. Another option for longer days of cycling is the 38-kilometre cross-border Overdinkel–Dreiländersee cycle route, which passes through Gerardus Majella Park. Different route lengths help you plan your outings according to your preferred scope and focus.

Church, chapel and procession

The Gerardus Majella Church in Overdinkel contains a stained-glass window depicting Gerardus Majella, as well as paintings showing scenes from his life. Behind the church lies Gerardus Majella Park, which invites visitors to stroll and reflect. Every year, the Gerardus Procession takes place there on the first Sunday on or after 16 October. This tradition has existed for more than 100 years.

The religious history of the town also includes the Maria Chapel on Hoofdstraat. It was built in 2019 to mark the sisters’ 100th anniversary. At the end of 2018, the Overdinkel community was given a statue of Mary, which was then restored; on 7 April 2019, it was placed in the specially built chapel. These specific sites give a stay in Overdinkel a cultural and spiritual dimension.

Hiking among art and heathland

The WAK walking collection includes routes through Overdinkel that follow artworks and can be walked year-round. Another hiking option is Tiekenvenneke Overdinkel, a 7.4-kilometre route with a stated duration of 1 hour and 51 minutes. This allows you to choose between an art-themed walk and a clearly defined hiking route.

The Kolkersveld nature reserve has paths across the heathland. You may walk on the klootschieten lanes when they are not in use. Special dragonfly species such as the tangpantserjuffer and zwervende pantserjuffer occur at a pond; water frogs and moor frogs also breed there. Kolkersveld is therefore particularly interesting if you like to look out for small natural details while walking.

Smuggling stories around Overdinkel

Overdinkel is known as a smugglers’ village. Stories from its eventful smuggling history are passed down from generation to generation. A smugglers’ walking route allows you to explore this theme on foot. In addition, there is a guided tour lasting around three hours by electric cart, covering the history of smuggling and the rural surroundings of Overdinkel and Losser.

The smuggling tour follows the area near the border and regularly stops at historical sites. There, the guide tells stories and anecdotes. This allows you to learn about the subject not only through a route, but also through individual historical locations and orally transmitted stories.

The right holiday accommodation for your interests

When choosing a holiday apartment or holiday home in Overdinkel, you can be guided by the experiences you want to shape your stay. The paved cycle paths and the cross-border cycle route favour a focus on cycling. Art routes, the church, chapel and procession provide different points of interest, while Kolkersveld adds hiking and nature observation opportunities. Anyone interested in regional history will find two different ways to explore the town through the Textile Route and the smuggling routes.

Discover more places

For more places to include in your travel plans, visit Losser, De Lutte and Beuningen.

Back to the overarching travel overview: Losser.