Cycling

Exploring the Reest valley by bike is wonderfully easy thanks to the many beautiful cycling routes around Bed & Wijn in IJhorst. The area constantly changes in character — from shady woodlands to open, historic hay meadows — and, thanks to the extensive junction network, it is easy to discover at your own pace. Whether you want a short loop or a full day's tour: from the farmyard you cycle straight into nature, right through one of the best-preserved stream-valley landscapes in the Netherlands.

Cycling along the junction network

With the fine-meshed junction system you can map out your own route in no time, exactly as long or short as you like. Along the way you pass old farmsteads, meandering brooks and picturesque hamlets. Feel free to pause at a terrace or pay a visit to one of the villages along the route. Prefer a themed tour? Then there are route booklets with background information about the region, its history and its special nature.

A landscape full of variety

The Reest valley is one of the few stream valleys in the Netherlands where the old parcelling of narrow hay meadows has been preserved. During your cycling tour you see the landscape constantly change: from deciduous woods and hedgerows to open meadows along the meandering Reest, the brook that forms the border between Overijssel and Drenthe. It is precisely this variety that makes every kilometre worthwhile and ensures you never tire of the view.

Beautiful cycling routes in the area

• Reest Valley Route · 47 km — nature and history through one of the most varied parts of the Reest valley.
• Southwest Drenthe · 43 km — through old hamlets and twice across the Reest; cultural history and nature in one tour.
• Discover Oud Avereest · 36 km — cycle through the old municipality of Avereest and get to know its long history.
• Kiekpunt'n Reest IJhorst-Dedemsvaart · 50 km — cycle through ancient cultural landscape and stop off at the lovely KIEK viewpoints.

Combine with nature and villages along the way

The wonderful thing about cycling in this region is that you can easily link up with other destinations along the way. Steer your route past the estates of Dickninge and De Havixhorst, pay a visit to the atmospheric Staphorst or the lively Meppel, or push on to the Drenthe nature areas. In this way a day's cycling soon becomes a complete journey of discovery through the region.

Practical information

Route booklets, junction maps and more information can be found at Tourist Info Punt het Reestdal, Dorpsstraat 65a, 7957 AS De Wijk (email: dewijk@touristinfo.nl). In the surrounding area, including Meppel and Staphorst, there are places where you can hire regular bikes and e-bikes — ideal if you want to make a longer tour or let the wind lend a hand. The landscape is mostly flat and quiet, which makes it very accessible for families and less experienced cyclists too.

Back to the farm

After a day of cycling through the Reest valley, there is nothing nicer than coming home to your own luxury suite at Bed & Wijn. A moment to unwind, pour a glass of wine and let the day gently wind down — that is how an active weekend in IJhorst is made complete. View the suites and plan your active stay in the heart of the Reest valley via booking.