The Sallandse Heuvelrug is actually a moraine landscape, which was created in the next to last ice age 200,000 to 150,000 years ago. Creeping ice exerted gigantic forces and dragged along huge boulders weighing thousands of kilograms all the way here from Scandinavia. Its sheer weight pushed up the soil on the sides and end. Creeping ice, melt water and drifting sand created the basis of today’s landscape.

East of the Sallandse Heuvelrug lies the Twents Reggedal valley. This is where the Regge river meanders through the landscape of Overijssel. It is a perfect place to go hiking, biking or boating from source to river mouth whilst enjoying the unique nature reserve, which is an attractive environment for people, plants and animals alike. Bird enthusiasts will love it in particular, as you can spot kingfishers in their natural habitat.

In this landscape of Sallandse Heuvelrug National Park & Twents Reggedal, you will pass through (pine) forests, vast moors, estates, fens and agricultural fields. It is a precious natural landscape with an extraordinary cultural history.  This National Park is also known as the leading outdoor sports area in the Netherlands, particularly due to the MTB (mountain biking) routes.

Throughout the year, countless stakeholders work hard to preserve and optimize use of the natural landscape. Achieving the right balance means that nature evolves, and people and animals will be able to enjoy it long into the future.

Sallandse Heuvelrug National Park & Twents Reggedal harbors a wealth of bird species, since many birds love to visit or live in this area. It is also the only place in the Netherlands where you can find the black grouse, which is sadly near extinction. As they are also timid creatures, you are unlikely to see them although you might be that lucky bird to catch a glimpse of this rare bird. You are more likely to see the tree pipit, however, which rises a short distance up from a tree, and then parachutes down on stiff wings - a most extraordinary thing to see. If you go for a twilight, evening or night walk, you will probably see European nightjars. They hunt for large insects, such as moths. And if you visit the nature reserve in winter, you may also encounter great gray shrikes. They store mice for later by impaling them on thorns or barbed wire. A little gruesome, perhaps, but also very smart and a special thing to witness.