//
Protected area in the Netherlands
Photo: René Vlak, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Sallandse Heuvelrug National Park is a national park in the Dutch province of Overijssel, located between the townships of Hellendoorn and Holten. Hills give a landscape a special charm, certainly in a flat country like the Netherlands. And that is what is special about the De Sallandse Heuvelrug National Park in Overijssel. It has something of being abroad, where the horizon is never straight. You can see this national park from far away.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
One of the largest military cemeteries in the Netherlands, in which soldiers killed during World War II are buried. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission maintains the graves of the Canadian soldiers buried at this cemetery. The cemetery contains 1394 graves, of which 1355 are the final resting place of Canadians, and is accessible to the public.
This memorial was revealed in October 2003, along the Paltheweg in Nijverdal. The memorial is dedicated to the men transported from this camp in 1942 to camp Westerbork; almost all of whom were murdered at Auschwitz-Birkenau.
Nature Museum Holterberg
The nature museum functions as the southern information point for the National Park, and contains eleven life-sized nature dioramas, displaying over a thousand animals in their natural environments and behaviours.
Public Observatory Hellendoorn
Observatory built on top of the information centre near Nijverdal. The location has relatively little light pollution. The observatory is equipped with three telescopes, and has an observation platform where you can stargaze with the naked eye or with binoviewers. Inside, a planetarium is built which doubles as a presentation room. Public viewings are organised on Friday nights, and you will have to book in advance. Doors close at 20:00 due to safety concerns. The same applies to Saturday openings.
Panoramic viewing point Noetselerberg
While its 61 m elevation doesn't make it the highest point of the park, the Noetselerberg offers nice panoramic views over the southern half of the park. With great weather, you might even see as far as Zwolle, which lies some 30 km away.
One of the better-preserved V1 launch sites in the Netherlands, it was built by Nazi Germany to launch V1-rockets at Great Britain. These rockets needed a guidance rail to be fired from, which is missing on this example, but the framework and foundation remain to be seen still.
A 2-km-long play forest path begins at the Nijverdal visitor centre. Huts can be built here or the kids can visit a Dachsburg. This forest path was created specifically for children. The focus is not on walking or hiking — parents can do that on their own — but on playing. If you follow the paths, you will come to the "attractions" such as the suspension bridge, the sand slope (on which sand lizards sunbathe), the climbing tree and the looping rope. The play forest path is accessible free of charge; the route description is available from the visitor centre for a small fee.
Amusement park north of the national park in the more touristy part of the Sallandse Heuvelrug with over 30 attractions and shows.
Indoor and outdoor swimming pool with many pools and activities.
International cuisine, all-inclusive restaurant. You pay a fixed price based on the length of your stay.
American cuisine. Overall themed around the extravaganza of Hollywood and American culture.
Well-equipped four star hotel just shy of a kilometre north from Holten's train station. The hotel does its own bike rental should you wish to acquire some, but also has a wellness space and room service.
Small hotel near the Natuurmuseum and Canadian War Cemetery.
Very much a more luxurious hotel, with prices starting at €200 per night.
Small B&B built into a historical and renovated Saxon farmhouse on the edge of the forest, as are commonly found in the region.
Apr-Oct. It's incredibly relaxing when you've driven up the stupid mountain from Nijverdal, along the certainly not quiet N35 and suddenly you turn into a forest path and after a short time you end up in the middle of the forest and peace. If you want it to be absolutely quiet, set up your tent in one of the niches between the beech, birch and bushes. But of course there is also a large field where a campfire can burn or you can just play.
A more equipped camping, which has more facilities for families like an indoor and outdoor pool, indoor playground, and so on. The camping is well-reviewed, having been assigned 5/5 stars by the ANWB (Dutch Road Services) among others.
Decently-sized campsite located between Holten and the national park.
Small family-run campsite around a farmhouse, though by no means lacking in quality.
Located just south of Haarle, Besten is a campsite on the edge of the woods aimed at people aged 40 and over, with facilities and luxuries for that target demographic.
By car
The park's visitor centre is on the N35 between Nijverdal and Raalte. This road has been developed as a motorway between Enschede and Almelo.
By public transport
When it comes to public transport, the park is best travelled to by train, with two viable entry points.
As of the 2024 timetable, there are no buses or other means of public transit crossing the park. The easiest way to cover ground in the park, is by bike.
Read in the guideChoose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Weeze · International · NRN
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Sallandse Heuvelrug National Park and Netherlands.
Travel tipsUnderstand travel insurance for a Schengen visa in 2026. Learn mandatory €30,000 medical coverage, zero deductible rules, and embassy-approved policies.
7 min read
Travel tipsEstimate your Europe trip cost for 2 weeks in 2026. Compare realistic budgets for lodging, Eurail trains, dining, and sightseeing across three styles.
8 min read
InspirationDiscover the best places to visit in April. Compare Dutch tulip fields, Thailand's Songkran water festival, Roman spring gardens, and cherry blossoms.
6 min read
Travel tipsUnderstand the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) and the €20 ETIAS travel authorisation, who needs each, and how to avoid long airport border queues.
6 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.