The best running trails around Oude Ijsselstreek

magnificent historical industrial buildings along the old IJssel

beautiful route along the old IJssel

Engbergen is a beautiful recreation area. Here you can hike on well-maintained paths or stroll along narrow trails between fields and meadows. It's a wooded and heathland area with wetlands and artificially created biotopes. For example, Recreatie 't Lohr, located at Lohrpad 2 in Voorst, offers accommodation directly adjacent to the recreation area. It's designed for group outings for team building or for school groups.

In Voorst, the footpaths and cycle paths are well-maintained with gravel. They are very pleasant to cycle on and also suitable for walking, even in bad weather. Often, a row of trees lines one side, providing shade in the summer and shelter from the wind in the winter.

RESTAURANT VAN HAL The Van Hal Restaurant in Voorst (Achterhoek) was founded in 1905 as a café by Jannes van Hal next to the grain mill built in 1866. The brand became famous for its "half chickens," introduced in the early 1950s by Riek and Frans van Hal, of which more than 1 million have now been sold. A large bronze rooster sculpture stands as a symbol next to the entrance. 1905: Johannes (Jannes) van Hal obtained a license to sell spirits and opened a café on the grounds of the farm and mill. 1950s: Riek and Frans van Hal began serving their famous half chickens. 1958: This success led to official recognition as a restaurant. 1952: After the mill closed, and 1964: after the bakery closed, these premises were added to the restaurant. 2017: Owner Caspar van Hal (grandson of Riek and Frans van Hal), Grensweg 13 in Voorst, is still known today for its friendly Achterhoek atmosphere, and the famous half-chickens are still on the menu. Van Hal is a classic example of an Achterhoek restaurant that originated from a farm and a mill. (Source: "de lengendarische haantjes van van Hal": November 17, 2017) GRAIN MILL 1866/1899/2010: The associated grain mill was built in 1866 and operated by Jannes van Hal from 1899. After being damaged in the war, it was dismantled in 1957 but rebuilt and renovated in 2010.

VOORST GRAIN MILL In 1866, Willem Stapelbroek had a grain mill built near his farm, "Klein Immink." His son, Bernard, was the first miller. In 1899, Johannes Hermanus (Jannus) van Hal took over the mill and married Stapelbroek's heiress that same year. The mill was severely damaged in the war in 1945 and subsequently shut down. Milling continued in the adjacent barn using electrically powered millstones. After the now dilapidated mill was further damaged by a lightning strike in the 1950s, the cap and sails were removed for safety reasons. Following the establishment of the "Grain Mill Voorst" Foundation in 1999, the first steps toward restoring the mill were taken. On November 27, 2010, the restored mill was officially reopened by Trees van Hal-Knaven and Bertus van Hal, the great-grandson of Willem Stapelbroek. (Source: Information sign at the mill; www.korenmolenvoorst.nl) RESTAURANT VAN HAL The Van Hal Restaurant in Voorst (Achterhoek) was founded in 1905 as a café by Jannes van Hal next to the grain mill built in 1866. The brand became famous for its "half chickens," introduced in the early 1950s by Riek and Frans van Hal, of which more than 1 million have now been sold. A large bronze rooster sculpture stands as a symbol next to the entrance.

From this wooden arched bridge onwards, the German Issel is called the Oude IJssel. A beautiful, gently flowing river. The pedestrian and cycle path runs almost entirely along its banks – very idyllic. On and along the water, you can observe grey herons, great egrets, mallards, coots, and the like. Swans, the heraldic animal of the Lords of Gendringen, also swim on the Oude IJssel. Next to the bridge, there is a launching and landing point for canoeists.

This beautiful wooden arched bridge connects Gendringen/NL with Voorst/NL and its lovely heathland. North of the bridge, the river is called the "Oude IJssel" and belongs to the Netherlands, while to the south, the same river is called the "Issel." South of the bridge, the border runs down the middle of the river (W=NL and O=DE). The pedestrian and cycle path is on the Dutch side.