Hart van Het Groene Woud
Dalfsen → Zwolle
East of Zwolle lies a rural area where you can enjoy wonderful walks. Wide vistas, groups of trees, and stately country houses alternate. The hiking possibilities are numerous. This route not only follows a few sections of two beautiful Long-Distance Trails, but also parts of the local hiking network.
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Highlights
- 3 estates: Den Berg, Mataram, De Horte
- Wijthmenerplas
- Old city center of Zwolle (right on the route)
Practical info
- Distance
- 17.5 km
- LAW
- Overijssels Havezatenpad and Hanzestedenpad; hiking network Vechtdal and IJsseldelta.
- Paved percentage
- 35%
- Dogs allowed?
- Yes. Dogs are allowed on a leash, but forbidden on some sections. An alternative route will be indicated
- Accommodation
- Accommodation possible in Dalfsen
Description
From Dalfsen station, it's just a short walk to Havezate Den Berg. A 'havezate' is a stately house on an estate that used to be inhabited by the nobility of Overijssel. At the beginning, you'll pass three such 'havezaten': Den Berg, Mataram, and De Horte. The estates are (largely) open to the public, while the country houses are privately owned. Huis De Horte is used as the office of Landschap Overijssel.
Even beyond the estates, this route continues to surprise. For example, you'll pass the Wijthmenerplas, where on a beautiful summer day, many people enjoy recreation. Just past the lake, the buildings of Zwolle appear. But grass paths, small bridges, and walking paths through Park De Wezenlanden continue to dominate.
For those with time and energy, finally delve into the center of Zwolle. If only to see the impressive Sassenpoort, Zwolle's only remaining city gate, up close.
Route
The walk goes from Dalfsen station to Zwolle station and is a total of 17.5 km. After 12 km, bus line 166 and/or 167 departs from 'halte De Marslanden' to Zwolle. Both lines unfortunately do not run on Saturdays and Sundays, so only on weekdays. You can also shorten the route by taking bus line 1 at 'halte Provinciehuis' in Zwolle (after 15.5 km, this runs daily, multiple times per hour).
Photos from NS
Photos © NS · sourced from ns.nl