Routes

Planner

Features

Updates

App

Get the App

Natural Monuments

The Sahara (Ommen)

Natural Monuments

The Sahara (Ommen)

Highlight • Natural Monument

The Sahara (Ommen)

Recommended by 254 cyclists out of 259

This Highlight is in a protected area

Please check local regulations for: Vecht- en Beneden-Reggegebied

Save

Location: Ommen, Overijssel, Netherlands

Save

See rides here

Take Me There

Routes here

Top cycling routes to The Sahara (Ommen)

4.7

(29)

215

riders

1. The Sahara (Ommen) – Distelbelt Uitkijkheuvel loop from Ommen

34.0km

01:57

50m

Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Easy

4.7

(31)

261

riders

2. The Sahara (Ommen) – Distelbelt Uitkijkheuvel loop from Mariënberg

37.6km

02:15

60m

Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Intermediate

4.6

(61)

475

riders

3. The Sahara (Ommen) – Vechtdal Route near Hardenberg loop from Ommen

49.0km

02:51

70m

Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Intermediate

Tips

Robin Withaar

April 26, 2020

A large sandy area in the middle of the forest. Fun for kids to play and build huts. The hills are fun for children to roll off.

Translated by Google •

OskarN

August 31, 2023

Here is the translation of the information board "Sahara2
Can you hear the woodlark singing or the buzzing of sand bees? Or are you looking for rare ant colonies and special mosses? The variety of drifting sand, wet heathland and forests makes this area unique in Europe. Experience it yourself!
The Ommen forestry was originally part of an estate. The forest north of the Hammerweg was laid out around 1840 as a walking forest. And the middle part of the forest area was originally heathland. The landowner Van Pallandt planted a forest of Scots pines here to counteract the drifting sand. In 191, Staatsbosbeheer bought the northern part of the estate.

The “Sahara” – where you are now – is the only remaining shifting sand area from this period. We try to keep the area open and therefore invite everyone to walk and play in the sand. Between 2018 and 2020, two shifting sand plains will merge into one large shifting sand area, giving the sand enough room to drift. Birds, insects, dragonflies, reptiles and mosses now have the chance to develop again. In this way, we all contribute to preserving biodiversity in the Netherlands.
Four beautiful hiking routes give you a good impression of Ommen's forestry. The Forest Development Trail (red route) takes you from open sand into an enclosed ancient pine forest. If you choose the Lake Walk (blue route), you will pass the lakes at Besthmenerberg. The 18 meter high tower near the Forest Theater offers a wonderful view of Zwolle in clear weather. On the Early Field Walk (yellow route) you can often see deer in the forest meadows at dusk. The walks are part of the Vechtdal hiking network (wandeleninhetvechtdal.nl).

By bicycle

In this area you can cycle endlessly through forests, past meadows, heathland and the Vecht. The signposted Vechtdal cycle path (LF16) follows the course of the river. There is also an 8.5 kilometer mountain bike route running along the forest. Do you think that's too short? In the north-east you can extend the route towards Landgoed Junne and continue cycling towards Forst Hardenberg (20 kilometres). Or take the route south-west to Archemer and Lemelerberg (14 kilometres).

Translated by Google •

Govert

August 6, 2019

A sandy plain between the woods, you can picnic well here.

Translated by Google •

Details

Informations

Elevation 50 m

Weather

Friday 24 October

12°C

9°C

0 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 29.0 km/h

Most visited during

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

See rides here

Take Me There

Location: Ommen, Overijssel, Netherlands

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Lock and Weir at Junne

Sahara van Ommen

Stuw Junne Overijsselse Vecht

Mausoleum at Eerde Estate

Gravelpad Door Het Eerder Achterbroek

View of the Regge from Steile Oever

Het Junnerlandschap

Junnerbaan Gravel Road

Path Through the Cow Meadow by the Regge

View of the Lemelerberg Heath

Sand Path Along the Regge

White Wooden Bridge Over the Reest

The Sahara (Ommen)

1. The Sahara (Ommen) – Distelbelt Uitkijkheuvel loop from Ommen

2. The Sahara (Ommen) – Distelbelt Uitkijkheuvel loop from Mariënberg

3. The Sahara (Ommen) – Vechtdal Route near Hardenberg loop from Ommen

Other Popular Places to Check Out

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️