30 Hamelandroute
This route was brought to you by:
RouteXpert Hans van de Ven (Mr.MRA)
Last edit: 28-06-2025
Route Summary This is the 30th in a series of 43 Endangered ANWB routes. These were published in the Promotors between April 2015 and September 2016.
Starting point: Esso, Winterswijk
End point: The Gulle Smid, Winterswijk Woold
I give this route 3 ★★★ stars because of the beautiful, quiet Achterhoek and cross-border roads, the varied coulisse landscape and the wealth of historic towns and villages that each tell a story. The road surface is good, the catering along the way excellent and the border area with Germany gives the ride an international touch.
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Animation
Verdict
Duration
6h 51m
Mode of travel
Car or motorcycle
Distance
260.86 km
Countries
RouteXpert Review The route starts at the Esso in Winterswijk. This petrol station offers modern facilities and fuels from Synergy Diesel to Premium petrol. Handy to start your journey well. After a short stretch of city, you immediately dive into the Achterhoek countryside. Here the roads meander between meadows, hedgerows and farms. The first highlight is not long in coming: Bredevoort. This atmospheric fortified town, famous as a book town, breathes history. Feel free to stroll around between the books, mills and old streets. The road winds further to Groenlo, where the cannons were used during the Eighty Years' War. The city walls, canals and bastions remind you of how strategically important this town once was. And of course, when you think of Grolsch, you immediately think of beer. Then you drive via Beltrum and Borculo. In Borculo you discover a city with medieval roots and stories about castles, mills and war. Here you can taste the Achterhoek culture, literally and figuratively. You drive north along narrow farm roads towards Goor, Goor tells a different story: once a swamp, later a textile town and now a town full of small museums and a vibrant folk festival.
The ride heads east and slowly crosses the border with Germany. There you will find a culinary rest stop; Spoolder in Bentelo or, a little further across the border, Gaststätte Voss near Ahaus. Spoolder is a typical Achterhoek restaurant with lunch, dinner and artisanal ice cream, while Voss stands for traditional Westphalian hospitality. Of course you can also stop at both.
In Germany you will pass the charming town of Ahaus, known for its baroque castle and cozy center. Further on the route takes you through beautiful Münsterland roads, Reken, where mills, wildlife parks and green forests fill the horizon. The engine hums softly as you drive back towards the Netherlands. After a beautiful border crossing, a fuel stop awaits you at Hoitink Wind Brandstoffen, a family-run gas station near Winterswijk. The last kilometers take you through the Woold back to Winterswijk. You end at De Gulle Smid, an atmospheric family restaurant where they serve home-smoked ham, salmon and vegetarian dishes. An ideal place for a final drink or dinner.
The Hamelandroute is a motorcycle tour for those who really want to discover the border area. Quiet roads, historic towns and fine restaurants make this a ride that you should ride quietly and with full gusto. Here you can feel how the Netherlands and Germany merge into each other - a unique ride that you would like to ride again.
Suggested Break, Info, Fuel and Viewpoints included in the route
• TSP – Tour Start Point; Esso, Modern gas station with long opening hours and good facilities for a fresh start.
• TIP – Tour Info Point; Bredevoort, Atmospheric fortified town, known as a book town, full of historic streets and mills.
• TIP – Tour Info Point; Groenlo, fortified town with a rich history from the Eighty Years' War and birthplace of Grolsch.
• TIP – Tour Info Point; Borculo, Historic town with watermills, old canals and traces of WWII.
• TIP – Tour Info Point; Goor, a Twente city with a textile past, museums and a lively village centre.
• TPP – Tour Pauze Punt; Spoolder, Atmospheric café with lunch, dinner and artisanal ice cream in Bentelo.
• TPP – Tour Pauze Punt; Gaststätte Voss, Westphalian hospitality with fresh dishes of the day, camper space also available.
• TIP – Tour Info Point; Ahaus, German town with baroque castle and pleasant centre.
• TIP – Tour Info Point; Reken, Village between Münster and the Ruhr area, known for its nature park and mills.
• TBP – Tour Fuel Point; Hoitink Wind Fuels, Family petrol station with long opening hours and LPG.
• TEP – Tour End Point; De Gulle Smid, Cosy family restaurant with honest cuisine, perfect to end the tour.
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Disclaimer
Use of this GPS route is at your own expense and risk. The route has been carefully composed and checked by a MyRoute-app accredited RouteXpert for use on TomTom, Garmin and MyRoute-app Navigation.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
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