Salland heath route by car
A loop around the Sallandse Heuvelrug national park past the purple heath, the woods and the Holterberg, from Holten via Nijverdal and Hellendoorn. At its best in August. For convertible, touring car, motorbike and camper.
Google Maps starts from your own location. For Garmin, Komoot or TomTom: download the GPX.
Photos via Wikimedia Commons: the Sallandse Heuvelrug by Gouwenaar (public domain), heath from the Holterberg by Paul Arps (CC BY 2.0).
Around the purple hills of Salland
The Sallandse Heuvelrug is one of the finest heathlands in the Netherlands: a long moraine of vast purple heath, pine woods and, as one of the few places in the country, the rare black grouse. In August the heath turns deep purple and it is one of the most colourful corners of Overijssel. This route strings together the villages around the national park, with the ridge and its heath always in view. About 60 kilometres in all, a half day with a walk onto the heath.
Honest up front: the heart of the Sallandse Heuvelrug is largely car-free, precisely to protect the heath and the black grouse. So this route drives the lovely ring around the ridge, from Holten via Nijverdal and Hellendoorn, with parking spots along the way where you leave the car and walk a short way onto the heath. That way you see the purple heath up close without disturbing the nature. You start and finish in Holten, with the Holterberg and the Canadian war cemetery as the first highlight.
The route on the map
A schematic overview by Touren.app, not a navigation map. The exact route opens under “Drive this route” or in Google Maps. Map orientation: north is up.
Soon: your time and starting point
The places along the route
1. Holten
Holten lies at the foot of the Holterberg, the southern part of the Sallandse Heuvelrug. On the hill are the National Landscape Museum, the Canadian war cemetery and, if you park the car, the finest heath within walking distance. The perfect starting point for the loop around the ridge.
Practical: park at the Holterberg (car park at the visitor centre); the heath and the museum are within walking distance.
2. Haarle
Haarle lies in the valley between the Holterberg and the Hellendoornse Berg, with the ridge on both sides. From the village paths lead up onto the heath and the woods; the road to it gives the finest glimpses of the rolling, purple slopes. A quiet point in the middle of the nature.
Practical: park on the edge; walking paths up the ridge from the village.
3. Nijverdal
Nijverdal is the largest place on the route and the northern gate of the national park, with the visitor centre and the railway that runs through a tunnel under the ridge. From here the finest routes lead up the Sallandse Heuvelrug, with viewpoints over the purple plains.
Practical: park at the visitor centre; walking and cycling routes onto the heath from here.
4. Hellendoorn
Hellendoorn is an old village on the north side of the ridge, known for its adventure park but above all for the heath and the woods around it. The Hellendoornse Berg with its lookout tower gives a wide view over the heath and the Regge valley. A good place to stop a while.
Practical: park in the village or by the heath; short walks to the lookout tower and the heath.
5. Luttenberg
Luttenberg lies in the open Salland country on the west side of the ridge, with the small Luttenberg as a height in the flat land. Here the route leaves the hills and you drive through the quiet farmland with its arable ridges and hedgerows back towards Raalte.
Practical: a short stop; park in the village, fine cycle paths around.
6. Raalte
Raalte is the pleasant market town of Salland, with a lively centre, terraces and the well-known Stoppelhaene harvest festival in late summer. It is the largest place on the west side of the loop and a good point to finish before you drive back to Holten and the Holterberg.
Practical: park in the centre; plenty of cafes on the market.
Practical: for convertible, motorbike and camper
Come for the heath in August: the purple bloom peaks from mid-August to early September. Outside that period the heath is brown-green and the woods and the views are at their finest; the route is still worthwhile then, but without the purple.
From which town: the route starts in Holten, but you need not start there. Enter your own address in the planner, choose your time, and Touren.app rebuilds the same loop from Nijverdal, Raalte, Deventer or wherever you are staying.
For which vehicle: the forest edges and village roads around the ridge are pleasant as a scenic drive. It works well with a camper too; Salland has plenty of room to stop and stay over.
Park and walk onto the heath: the heart of the national park is largely car-free to protect the fragile heath and the rare black grouse. That is its charm: you park at Holten, Nijverdal or Haarle and walk a short way onto the purple heath. The finest spots you reach on foot, not by car.
Respect the nature: stay on the paths, keep dogs on the lead and be quiet in the breeding season; the black grouse is extremely rare and sensitive to disturbance. That keeps the heath beautiful for people and wildlife.
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Mail this route to yourselfFrequently asked questions
When does the heath on the Sallandse Heuvelrug bloom?
The purple bloom peaks from mid-August to early September. The exact period varies each year with the weather. That is the loveliest but also the busiest time; come early or outside the weekend for the calm.
Can you drive over the heath by car?
No, and that is a good thing: the heart of the national park is largely car-free to protect the heath and the rare black grouse. Our route drives the ring around it, with parking spots where you leave the car and walk onto the heath.
How long is the heath route by car?
About 60 kilometres, with just over an hour of pure driving, measured via Google Maps with motorways avoided. With a heath walk and the Holterberg it is a fine half day.
Is the route suitable for convertible, motorbike and camper?
Yes. The forest edges and village roads around the ridge are pleasant for any vehicle, and Salland is true camping and camper country with plenty of room to stop.
Are the exports really free?
Yes, free with a Touren.app credit on them. You never pay us for exports; those who want to drive ad-free and offline choose Plus.
Keep exploring
Fancy this drive, but from your own front door?
Touren.app rebuilds the same heath route from any starting point, within the time you have. Choose your vehicle, slide your time, and drive (for the purple: in August).
Generate your version of this route