Lemele, Lemelerveld

To start right away with the inevitable history of the landscape: the humps or 'mountains' we encounter along the way are the so-called moraines. Large lumps of earth material from the ice ages of yore, pushed up by the ice floes that shifted back then. Over many years, these lumps of land have become overgrown and are now being protected with all their might by nature clubs. Rightly so, because they are not just a few molehills. The region is rife with them: Lemelerberg, Archemerberg, Besthmenerberg - you can almost quail with all those mountains.

In addition, on this trip we have to deal with the lower reaches of the small river Regge. The 'Lower Regge', in other words. Before long, it flows into the Vecht. Where it originates, a bit to the south near Diepenheim, it is called 'Upper Regge' and in the section in between 'Middle Regge'. This naming goes a bit against our natural sense of order, as we would rather think of the southern part when we think of 'Lower Regge'. But a river simply flows from the highest to the lowest point and does not care about our map image.

The area around Lemelerberg and Archemerberg as well as this part of the Regge have acquired the status of Natura 2000 area, under the title 'Vecht- en Beneden-Reggegebied'. This has been a process of years of negotiations and all sorts of hassle, which we won't talk about now, on our bikes. From the Natura 2000 documents, we can see one thing crystal clear: the landscape of the rivers and the adjacent forest and moorland of the 'mountains' is well worth protecting. It falls under the 'habitat directive'. Simply put: the habitat for plants and animals here is very, very special. Let that sink in and look at this forest, this heathland and this small river with different eyes. This is not just another piece of the Netherlands. You are cycling through the land of mountains and rivers here, Natura 2000-style!

Oh yes, and the Vecht. That flows just off this route, we won't pass it now. Consider this ride a first introduction to someone who can become a friend of yours. Such a friend often brings along interesting acquaintances, whom you will undoubtedly get to know better later on.


This Premium cycle route was compiled by our editor: Matthijs Termeer.