Nijverdal, Haarle, Holten

There is an Overijssel legend of a giant from Prussia who set out with a big bag of sand to fill up the Zuiderzee. From the east, he took giant steps towards Almere, then still an inland sea. However, the sack sprung a leak and the giant lost all the sand in Salland. This is how the Sallandse Heuvelrug is said to have formed.

We now know that this Prussian giant was a huge ice mass. The hills were pushed up in the penultimate ice age by huge glaciers, from which the Salland Hills were formed. The meltwater formed beautiful valleys, where juniper, white birch and lush oaks grew.

The Sallandse Heuvelrug is beautiful at any time of year, but especially in late August when the heather is in bloom. Did you know that this is even one of the largest dry heathlands in Europe? Another special fact: the National Park is the only area in the Netherlands where the black grouse still lives. However, the animal is very shy, so the chances of seeing these impressive ground birds are slim. Fortunately, you can encounter plenty of other beautiful bird species there.

The cycle route not only takes you across the heathland, but via the hills you also cycle through forests and landscapes with beautiful views. From the vantage point on Holterberg, you have a magnificent view over the nature reserve. Enjoy the space and openness of National Park Sallandse Heuvelrug, can you hear the silence?