Ommen, Nijverdal, Lochem

From the collaboration with Flow Collection, a series of four themed cycling routes was created. Each route starts and ends at one of their hotels and is part of a complete cycling package across three provinces. Along the way, nature, culture and regional highlights alternate. You can do the routes separately, but they also connect beautifully if you follow the whole package.

This is the first route from Ommen to Lochem, largely themed around the Sallandse Heuvelrug. It also passes castles and noble estates, which are abundant in this region.

The Sallandse Heuvelrug is a chain of hills formed during the penultimate ice age as a push moraine. The area is known for its extensive heathlands, dry sandy soils and elevation changes rarely seen in eastern Netherlands. Cycling over the Lemelerberg and Holterberg, you’ll notice how these landforms shape not only the view but also the plants and animals that thrive here. Rare heath species, junipers and open woodlands provide habitat for the viviparous lizard, deer and the critically endangered black grouse. The heath is fragile yet iconic, and actively managed to preserve species like the black grouse. Wherever you ride, the landscape feels open, quiet and magnificently simple.

It's no coincidence that several estates are located here. In the 18th and 19th centuries, wealthy city families were drawn here by the combination of peace, space and elevation. They built country homes such as Het Laer and Eerde, often surrounded by landscaped parks, production forests and farmland. These estates served as summer residences and status symbols. The landscape was designed according to their vision, with long avenues, ponds and hunting grounds. Towards Lochem, you pass Huis Verwolde, a well-preserved example. Its location, design and surrounding fields clearly show how strongly the landed nobility influenced the landscape.

This Premium cycling route was put together by our editor Désirée van Uffelen in collaboration with Flow Collection.