Discover Ossenzijl: Weerribben and Local History

In Ossenzijl, the Weerribben, waterways and distinctive local features take centre stage. The Informatiecentrum Weerribben is a tourist information centre that provides information about the surrounding nature reserve. At the same time, it is the starting point for trips on a covered excursion boat, an electric whisper boat or a canoe in De Weerribben-Wieden National Park. A 16 km canoe route also starts at the information centre. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Ossenzijl, you can choose the location based on these clear themes. Especially when family members have different ideas about an outing, this combination offers several options for making decisions together.

Weerribben: a wetland landscape with a distinctive character

The Weerribben landscape consists of swamp forests, expanses of water, birds and extensive reed fields. Peat extraction transformed the landscape into a wetland area with valuable peatland nature. This combination of water, reeds and boggy natural surroundings defines the character of the destination. You can therefore choose between different ways of exploring it: observing the landscape, taking a trip on the water or planning a day that combines nature with visits to local places.

Canoes, kayaks and the Open Kano Festival

At Recreatiecentrum De Kluft in Ossenzijl, single and double kayaks as well as Canadian canoes for two or three people are available for hire. The annual Open Kano Festival in Ossenzijl features short and longer tours, various hands-on workshops and demonstrations. This brings different forms of paddling and active experiences together. For families with different age groups, this is an interesting planning idea because you can weigh up shorter and longer formats as well as different event options.

Long-distance stages and the connection to the Friese Meren

The long-distance routes also give Ossenzijl a clear place in travel planning: Stage 18 of the Zuiderzeepad runs for 20.1 km from Vollenhove to Ossenzijl. The sixth stage of the Stellingenpad leads from Blokzijl via Baarlo to Ossenzijl. The Ossenzijlersloot, on which the village is situated, connects the IJsseldelta with the Friese Meren via the Linde. The different route distances and courses help you compare travel ideas and decide whether to focus your stay on a long-distance trail or a waterside landscape.

Water management and a protected building

The Paaltjasker Tjasker Kalenberg N in Ossenzijl is used in summer to supply the reedland behind it in the Weerribben with water. The building of the Vrije Zendingsgemeente at Hoofdstraat 10 in Ossenzijl is protected as a Rijksmonument because it contains a single-manual organ from the mid-18th century of unknown provenance. These two specific local features complement the nature and water experiences with a glimpse into local use and history.

Choose a holiday apartment in Ossenzijl based on your travel interests

When choosing a holiday apartment in Ossenzijl, you can consciously set your priorities between water, landscape, routes and culture. When different preferences come together in your family, this clear selection helps you organise your travel plan. Sterrenwacht de Weerribben at Oudeweg 113 in Ossenzijl can be reached on foot and by bicycle. This makes it possible to choose accommodation based on your own travel interests without considering nature, water, routes and culture separately.

For further travel planning, you can also discover Kalenberg, Giethoorn, Vollenhove, Wanneperveen, Scheerwolde, Blokzijl, De Bult and Sint Jansklooster.

For the broader travel overview: Steenwijkerland.