From Twente to the German Alstätte

From smoking area to cycling area
You get on your bike a little outside Buurse and then you have left the Netherlands in no time. These border areas used to be popular with smugglers and street traders who could take items across the border unnoticed. Alstätte is the first German village on the route. This was originally an agricultural village, but nowadays most residents of the village work in the industrial areas around the village. From there you cycle through a rural environment until you cross the Dutch border again.

Hooge Esch Buurse
Near Rekken you will pass the Piepermolen. Take a look here and stretch your legs or cycle to the start and end point at Hooge Esch Buurse for a break. The restaurant is mainly known for the wide variety of pancakes available here, but you can also eat meat dishes, soups and salads or drink a cup of coffee.

The Piepermolen
The Piepermolen is a belt mill from 1976. The mill is located in the village of Rekken. The mill was severely damaged during a storm in 1940. Due to the war it was difficult to restore the mill and there was no money for it at the time. The mill was only restored in 1970 and made operational again. New repairs followed in 1994 and 2006.

Would you like to know more about the Twente region before exploring this route yourself? Then take a look here

Would you like to read more about the border between the Netherlands and Germany in advance? Then read this article

This route is one of the 31 selected routes for the May Cycling Month 2016. The May Cycling Month has been a major event for recreational cyclists for years. Every year in May, Route.nl provides cycling enthusiasts with beautiful cycling routes in collaboration with the tourist office and partners. Curious about the origins of this month for cycling enthusiasts? Then read this article