Haaksbergen, Buurse, Hengevelde

The railway line from Haaksbergen to Boekelo tells a vivid story of Twente's past. Here, on the outskirts of the village of Haaksbergen, you will find traces of an era when steam trains were the backbone of regional transport. This line was built in the nineteenth century to support Twente's growing textile industry. The area was known for its thriving factories, and the railway was crucial for transporting goods such as textiles and agricultural products. The smell of lubricating oil, the ringing of a station clock and the imposing locomotives conjure up images of those industrial glory years, when steam conquered the world.

When the Museum Buurtspoorweg is not open, you can also experience the history of the railway and its surroundings in another way: by bike. The route between Haaksbergen and Boekelo takes you past traces of this industrial heritage, but it is also a wonderful way to explore Twente's varied landscape. You'll cycle through a region that was once the heart of the industrial revolution in the Netherlands, but which today is actually known for tranquillity and nature.

Your cycle route will take you through the Grintenbosch nature reserve, where you will enjoy the tranquillity and green surroundings. The route also leads past Molen de Korenbloem, an impressive corn mill that evokes memories of agricultural life in the past. Further on, you pass remnants of the textile industry, such as the former Jannink textile mill in Enschede, which was a symbol of the region's economic boom. This route offers a rich combination of history and nature: from past industrial activities to today's green oases, with traces of the past all around you.