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The Vecht winds its way through a landscape in which bygone times have been preserved. In the Overijsselse Vechtdal you will find charming villages, fairytale estates, unspoilt forests, hedgerows, meadows and of course the beautiful river Vecht. A wonderful area for a long and varied bike ride.

You start and end at grand café Het Oude Station just below Dalfsen. You can go to this cozy café for a delicious cup of coffee or a tasty lunch or evening meal. The Old Station itself is a real attraction. The building, built in 1902 in Art Nouveau style, was designed by architect Eduard Cuypers and is still in its historic state. Dalfsen station is still part of an active train connection.

There is certainly no shortage of monumental buildings on your route. In Dalfsen you cycle past the Westermolen. This thatched corn mill dates back to 1818 and has great landscape value. A little further on you pass the Leemcule country estate. This estate dates from the fifteenth century, although the original castle was demolished in the early nineteenth century. Instead, the building has been converted into a chic residential home. De Rutenberg is one of the few remaining manors in the Dalfsen region. The history of the estate dates back to the fourteenth century. In 1828 a new country house was built.

You cross the Vecht and continue through the Salland countryside. In this scenic landscape you will see many authentic farms where farming is still taking place. You have beautiful views over the fields or meadows that are separated by ditches and canals. Every now and then there is a bench in such a quiet spot to enjoy the peace and quiet of Salland.

Towards the end of your route you will pass Judgeen Castle, the only medieval castle in Overijssel that is in very good condition despite the ravages of time. Prince Maurits had the castle dismantled in 1591 to prevent the Spanish from gaining control of this strong fortress. The ring wall was demolished and the ramparts were excavated. The fourteenth-century castle stands on a dead river arm of the Vecht and has been inhabited by the same family for several centuries. Neither the castle nor the surrounding park are accessible.