Holiday apartment in Steenwijkerland: Nature, water and culture

Steenwijkerland presents an unusually diverse landscape across 330 km²: waterscapes, reedlands and forests alternate with picturesque towns and villages. At the heart of the municipality lies Weerribben-Wieden National Park, Europe’s largest lowland peat bog. Wetlands, forests, heathland and historic places come together to create a destination where nature experiences, culture and regional characteristics stand closely side by side.

Nature and water

One of the defining landscapes is De Wieden, a preserved wetland with large open stretches of water, pools, winding ditches and floating land areas. Rare plants and animals can be found in this area. The rest of Steenwijkerland’s landscape also takes many different forms: alongside water and forests, the municipality includes glacial moraine hills, heathland, small peat lakes, gently rolling fields, reed belts and polders.

The higher-lying landscapes with forests, heathland and sand and the lower-lying wetlands of the Weerribben and Wieden are within cycling and walking distance of one another. The Informatiecentrum Weerribben in Ossenzijl offers a special insight into the world of water. From there, trips depart by covered excursion boat, whisper boat or canoe in Weerribben-Wieden National Park.

The Bezoekerscentrum Weerribben in Sint Jansklooster is a starting point for an excursion into the national park. It provides information about routes and boat trips, as well as activities for children. In De Wieden, boat trips accompanied by rangers or nature guides are also available. The Waterbus connects the De Wieden visitor centre with Blokzijl and Giethoorn; bicycles can be taken on board.

Steenwijkerland also supports the sustainable craft of reed cutting. It is closely connected to a landscape in which reed belts, stretches of water and wetlands play an important role.

Culture and history

In Steenwijk stands Villa Rams Woerthe, built in 1899 and an example of the Dutch variant of Jugendstil, or Art Nouveau. The well-preserved interior was created with the involvement of renowned designers and decorators. The basement houses the Hildo Krop Museum, with a special collection of works by Hildo Krop.

The Stadsmuseum Steenwijk offers insights into the city’s history and culture. Its six core collections include Eskaf ceramics, Wildebras dolls, Monsieur furniture, Bijkamp silver, the Steenwijk tobacco industry and the fortified city. The museum also offers guided walking tours of about 1.5 hours led by city guides. They cover, among other things, Steenwijk’s history and its strategic role during the Eighty Years’ War.

The Stadsmuseum Vollenhove brings ten centuries of local history to life. This includes the period of Utrecht’s episcopal rule, the Havezaten estates built by the nobility and the heyday of fishing on the Zuiderzee.

Routes and regional experiences

A notable viewpoint is the Steenwijker Toren. On the climb up the 89-metre-high tower, 226 spiral staircase steps lead to a viewing terrace 43 metres above the ground. From there, visitors can enjoy a panorama in every direction.

For walks focused on history, the guided tours offered by the Stadsmuseum Steenwijk are available. Nature and exercise come together on the first stage of the Weerribben-Wieden trail: it leads from the Steenwijk P&R car park to the Binnenpad in Giethoorn.

Cyclists can also follow a described route with a regional focus. The 46.6-kilometre cycling route “Tussen stuwwal en streekproduct” is described from junction 19 at the intersection of Kallekote and Oerthepad between Steenwijk and Kallenkote. The route passes local producers; along the way, regional products such as dairy products, meat, nuts and beer can be sampled.

Regional production

The “Lekkers uit de Kop” initiative is aimed at visitors and residents. Through farm shops, open days and tours of agricultural businesses, it provides insights into the origins of regional food. Products made in Steenwijkerland include dairy products, meat, fish, vegetables, cheese, sausages, honey, jam and nuts.

Other places

For further local options, De Bult, Steenwijkerwold, Wanneperveen, Paasloo, Scheerwolde, Belt-Schutsloot and Kalenberg are available.

For the higher-level travel overview: Overijssel.