Epe, Heerde, Oene

In the area around Epe and Heerde, you cycle through a landscape where traces of the past are still visible. In the forests and on the heathlands lie ancient burial mounds that remind us of the people who lived here thousands of years ago. It’s no surprise that many prehistoric artefacts have been found in this region. On the Renderklippen, the rolling heath between Epe and Heerde, there’s a good chance you’ll come across the local sheep herd along the way.

Heerde holds the international title of Cittaslow municipality, a label for places where quality of life, hospitality and care for the landscape and local culture come first. If you cycle further towards Oene, you’ll notice an unusual number of poplar trees in the landscape. That’s no coincidence: the wood from these trees turned out to be perfect for making clogs. Oene was once a centre of clog makers, with as many as twenty craftsmen working here on this traditional footwear.