Holiday apartment in Ommen – Sahara, nature and history

Ommen combines striking sandy landscapes, protected nature, historic sites and diverse trails. The Sahara in the Vechtdal is particularly impressive: a 20-hectare area of windblown sand. Families can play in the sand and enjoy picnics there. Several signposted routes and a car park are also part of the Sahara.

Nature and protected landscapes

The Lemelerberg is designated as a Natura 2000 site. Landgoed Eerde also combines nature and culture in an expansive landscape and lies between Ommen and Den Ham. A special combination of landscape history and nature can be found at Landgoed Junne: most of the estate is protected because it belongs to the Natura 2000 site “Vecht- en Beneden Reggegebied”. At the same time, Landgoed Junne is a centuries-old landscape in the former river valley of the Vecht. It includes farmhouses, agricultural land on esch soils, a brink, hedgerows, windblown sands, heathland and distinctive stands of trees.

North of the Vecht lies the Junner Koeland, a nature reserve of approximately 100 hectares managed by Staatsbosbeheer. The Stuw van Junne, which is more than 100 years old and a municipal monument, also stands in this landscape. Fish ladders at the weir allow fish to move freely upstream and downstream through the river. The Junnerpad runs through Landgoed Junne; this hiking route has variants of 5, 10 and 15 kilometres. It starts at the car park next to De Stuw near Junne. At Landgoed Junne, Junners offers a farm shop, a tea garden, a coffee room and workshops.

Routes for cycling, hiking and horse riding

The Pontje Varsen connects Landgoed Vilsteren with the hamlet of Varsen and strengthens the local hiking and cycling network. For cyclists, the route Tijdreis van het Oerrund, which is more than 60 kilometres long, runs through the Vechtdal between Hardenberg and Varsen (Ommen). The route passes through three historical eras: from hunter-gatherers through agriculture to modern farming.

Het piratenpad in the Laarbos in Ommen is a children’s route with a pirate theme. The Wolvenspoor is a children’s hiking route in Ommen where participants take on the role of wolves and complete playful challenges. Another option is the Ruiterroute Arrierveld, an equestrian route open to everyone through the Arriërveld woodland complex in Ommen.

The history of the landscape can also be explored on foot. One hike leads through the historic heart of the Ommerschans colony, along the restored ramparts and moats of the former fortification. Its shape is still visible in the terrain.

Mills, museum and places of remembrance

The Streekmuseum Ommen is located in the Den Oordt mill and in a former customs house in Ommen. The museum displays an extensive collection of regional costumes, domestic scenes from times gone by and an old classroom. The Vilsterse Molen is an octagonal Dutch-style windmill and grain mill dating from 1858; it is fully operational for milling. The mill is regularly opened to visitors. Guides are always present during opening hours, and guided tours occasionally begin.

The Ommerschans was built around 1625 to defend against the Spanish. In 1820, the Maatschappij van Weldadigheid founded a beggars’ colony there. Park 1813 provides a different historical focus: the memorial park was created in 1913 to mark the 100th anniversary of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

The Bezoekerscentrum Ommen sells cycling and hiking maps and advises visitors on excursions in Ommen and the surrounding area. This provides a dedicated point of contact for maps and excursion advice for routes through the landscape and its history.

Other local pages

For further location options, the pages lead to Beerze, Lemele, Ommen, Vilsteren, Arrien, Stegeren, Dalmsholte, Giethmen and Beerzerveld.

For the overarching travel overview: Overijssel.