Day-To-Day- Arrival in Ommen.
- Ommen - Ootmarsum, 28 mi. (45 km)
- Ootmarsum, roundtrip, 19, 25, or 32 mi. (30, 40 or 50 km)
- Ootmarsum to Delden, 41 mi. (65 km)
- Delden, roundtrip, 19, 25, or 32 mi. (30, 40 or 50 km)
- Delden - Ommen, 34 mi. (55 km)
- Ommen, roundtrip
- Departure
* 5 day tour skips Day 3 & 5.
All distances are approximate.
DAY 1: Arrival in Ommen
Agriculture is the pillar of the local economy and the beautiful forests and hilly heather lands of Ommen attract many nature-seeking visitors. A walk through the center of Ommen is a pleasant and relaxing experience and can be combined with some shopping in the quaint little shops. You will not miss the Nederlands Hervormde (Dutch Reformed) church in the center of town. Its remarkable white tower rises above everything. The church is built of stone and fills the church square. The church dates back to 1150, but has been rebuilt and modified throughout the centuries at least a dozen times. Inside the church the Roman baptismal font, made of Bentheimer sandstone is worth seeing, as well as the 17th century pedestal.
DAY 2: Ommen - Ootmarsum, 28 mi. (45 km)
The first cycling day takes you through the forest to Zeesse and to Den Ham and Vroomshoop, passing several towns and villages along the way. In Vriezenveenseveld, of interest is the Veen museum or Veen Park, formally the Peat Museum, which gives an idea of how early settlers used the peat to build and heat their homes. The museum is an educational theme park with 395 acres filled with glimpses into the past. The cycling route takes you through the park to Tubbergen where you can enjoy traditional Dutch koffie met gebak. The remainder of the day is spent cycling through the heather fields to Ootmarsum where you will spend the night.
DAY 3: Ootmarsum, roundtrip, 19, 25, or 32 mi. (30, 40 or 50 km)
All over Ootmarsum you can find art. Ootmarsum is also called the "kunststad van het oosten" or the art city of the east [in the Netherlands]. You'll find outdoor sculptures , galleries and museums. The real attraction of this day and for that matter, the entire tour is the fact that you are off the "beaten track" and in authentic farmland amidst the real people of Holland.
For your cycling day, a choice of various routes via the "knooppunten net werk" is given. (This will be explained in your travel information).‘Knooppunten’ [nodes or marked interchange points] are numbers that you can find along the road, and on the map. Just follow the signs from one knooppunt to another. You can make the route as long or short as you like, by following the numbers that you have choosen. This system is implemented in all the provinces of Flanders and signposted in both directions. All the routes are sign posted and numbered and very easy to follow. To the north, you approach Germany. You could chose to cycle along "Heis Singraven" in Denekamp in the afternoon or the "Stift" near Weersela. You will not want to miss a visit to the old center of Oldenzaal.
DAY 4: Ootmarsum - Delden, 41 mi. (65 km)
Today you will cycle to Denekamp where a visit to the Museum Natura Docet, a unique natural history museum, is worthwhile. The route takes you through the valley of the little river, the Dinkel. Via the park "Lutterzand" and the town of De Lutte, you arrive in the city of Enschede. This is a bustling university town. Elegant historic buildings in the town and surrounding area are evocative of Enschede’s rich textile past. Some of the town’s most notable monuments are the beautiful town hall, several beautiful churches and a unique synagogue. At the same time, large-scale urban renewal has given Enschede a new skyline with eye-catching, contemporary architecture. Well worth a visit is the Van Heekplein. This shopping center gives the town a modern flair and a lively charm. The last part of this day's journey takes you through several small towns in an area where the salt industry employs many people. One of the towns is Boekelo. In Delden, at day's end, you can visit the Salt museum.
DAY 5: Delden, roundtrip, 19, 25, or 32 mi. (30, 40 or 50 km)
Although small, Delden is historical. It gained city rights in 1333! Castle Twickel, home of the Baron van Heeckeren. is a famous landmark near Delden and worth a visit. While drilling for water,the Baron's men discovered salt, which started the salt industry in the region of Twente. Delden is a typical village in the province of Overijssel, a land known as Holland's garden, so named for the numerous gardens. In the vicinity of Delden are many typical Dutch farms. You have a choice on this day to visit towns such as Hengelo, Almelo and Oldenzaal or to ride through nature in the direction of Haalesbergena nd the castles of Diephenheim. Maybe you will decided to do both.
DAY 6: Delden - Ommen, 34 mi. (55 km)
This cycling day leads through slightly hilly terrain around Holten. Names such as Holterberg, Sprengenberg and Haarlerberg would suggest that you are in a mountainous area. The Dutch word "berg" means mountain but can just as well mean a very small hill, which is the case here. Through the nature reserve "Lemele" and "Lemelerberg", you cycle into the town of Ommen where you spend the night in the same hotel you started in.
DAY 7: Ommen, roundtrip
Via the "Knooppunten netwerk", you have the opportunity to explore the beautiful valley of the small Vecht River. It brings you to Dalfsen and Raalte. You can then decide to ride back to Ommen, using the sign posted method or pick another route to your liking.
DAY 8: Departure.
DAY 8: Departure.
