Staphorst, Genemuiden, Zwartsluis

The Zwarte Water winds calmly through the north-west of Overijssel, from Zwolle to the Zwarte Meer. This 19-kilometre-long river was formed where the Soestwetering and Nieuwe Wetering merge near Zwolle, and is fed further by the Overijsselse Vecht. Along its banks lie Hasselt, Zwartsluis and Genemuiden – each with its own history, closely connected to the water.

Hasselt was once a thriving Hanseatic town, recalling the days when the Zwarte Water was a key trade route. Zwartsluis developed as a transport hub for peat shipments from Drenthe to the west of Holland. Genemuiden is known for its carpet industry, which grew out of weaving rushes and mats – a craft still honoured today at the local Carpet Museum. A little further inland, Staphorst offers a glimpse into traditional dress and farm architecture.

The route runs close to the river for most of the way, sometimes directly parallel to it. Every so often, the landscape opens up and you get sweeping views of the shimmering water – especially near Zwartsluis, where the lively little harbour is filled with yachts, fishing boats and old vessels side by side.

Between towns, the scenery unfolds into wide open farmland. Farmsteads, reed beds and narrow ditches give the area a peaceful, rural feel. You’re cycling through a region where agricultural life is still very much alive, with the Zwarte Water quietly keeping you company in the background.