Across the Besthmenerberg: forest, heath and the finest view in Ommen
6 km · 1h 30m · Moderate
Region
Vechtdal
Where the Vecht winds through a centuries-old landscape.
In the Vechtdal, the river sets the pace. The Overijssel Vecht winds slowly past river dunes, old estates and wide stretches of heath. Here the sky is broad and time is generous — a region to breathe in.
Highlights
The Sahara near Ommen
An open drift-sand area between Ommen, Zeesse and Junne, ringed by pine forest, heath and juniper. Ideal for a walk with sand crunching under your feet.
Eerde Castle and estate
A stately castle from 1715 amid moats, avenues and forest, with a rich past in which the philosopher Krishnamurti once taught.
Hanseatic town of Ommen
A welcoming town on the Vecht with city rights since 1248, a lively centre and the Vecht bridge at its beating heart.
The Vecht is one of the last semi-natural lowland rivers in the Netherlands. It meanders past sandy banks and water meadows, along oak woods, heathlands and stately estates. The landscape is varied yet never crowded; the horizon lies low and far. Around Ommen, the Vechtdal feels wide and wonderfully calm.
On foot or by bike you follow the river from bend to bend, straight through estate woods and across open heath. Paths lead past river dunes and quiet brooks; shade and sun, forest and far view take turns along the way. It is a landscape to wander into and slow down in, effortlessly.
The Vechtdal lives off the land. Regional produce, estate farms and an easy hospitality define the taste of the region — honest, seasonal and close to the source. After a day outside, everything tastes better at the table.
The Flow hotels in the Vechtdal — in and around Ommen — are your quiet home base: close to the river, with the outdoors within reach. Generous in feeling, personal in experience — and the Vechtdal begins the moment you step outside.
Frequently asked questions
Where exactly is the Vechtdal?
The Vechtdal follows the Overijsselse Vecht through Overijssel, roughly between the German border and Zwolle, with Ommen, Dalfsen and Hardenberg as well-known places along the river.
What is the best thing to do in the Vechtdal?
Walking and cycling through drift sand, heath and along the Vecht, visiting estates such as Eerde and Vilsteren, and exploring the Hanseatic town of Ommen. The valley is perfect for a relaxed nature-and-culture break.
Is the Vechtdal suitable for a family outing?
Certainly. The Sahara drift-sand area, the open estates and the banks of the Vecht offer plenty of room to play and explore, with varied walking and cycling routes of different lengths.
