At the site of the old mill in Laar, cycling routes, the Vechte and architectural history come together. At around 40 kilometres, the Laar Mill Route offers a clearly defined cycling option: it starts at the mill, passes through Coevorden and the Laarscher Bruch nature reserve, and returns to its starting point. There is also a historic windmill, a Reformed church with older furnishings, and seasonal opportunities to experience the Vechte by boat or ferry. You can choose between these different themes depending on what you want to focus on during your stay.
Cycling routes of different lengths
The cross-border Laar Mill Route is about 40 kilometres long. The start and finish are at the mill in Laar; along the way, the route passes through Coevorden and the Laarscher Bruch. Its route and approximate distance make it easy to get a sense of this circular tour. In the wider destination of Grafschaft Bentheim, the main route of the Grafschafter Fietsentour offers a different scale: it is about 220 kilometres long and passes through every municipality in the county. The local loop and this longer regional route are therefore two different options to consider when planning a cycling trip. Check the signs and current route conditions before setting off.
The landscape around Laar is also shaped by the Vechte: river meanders and retention areas define the scenery. Along with the route through the Laarscher Bruch, these offer several landscape features to look out for on a cycling tour, without necessarily making the two sections about the same thing.
Experience the Vechte by boat or ferry
The Vechtezomp de Mölle departs from the landing stage by the mill in Laar. This historic boat offers seasonal trips on the Vechte and the Coevorden–Almelo Canal. Check current availability before travelling. Another way to include the river in your plans is the hand-cranked Fähr Harm ferry: pedestrians and cyclists cross the Vechte there using their own muscle power. The ferry operates seasonally and is weather-dependent. The boat trip and ferry therefore offer different experiences and have different operating conditions; plan according to the service available and its operating hours.
The mill, church and art along the river
The tower windmill in Laar was built in 1806/07 and completely rebuilt and restored in 1981. The Reformed church also reflects different periods: it was built in 1863, but retains older furnishings. Its bells date from the 15th and 16th centuries, while the wood-carved pulpit is from the 17th century. The dates of the buildings and their furnishings offer two different perspectives on the town’s history.
The artworks along the Vechte offer a different focus. Wortlos by Ilya and Emilia Kabakov is about one kilometre downstream from the mill, where the Vechte crosses into the Netherlands. The Laar Mill Route also passes Chain Reaction by Bonnie Collura, on the opposite bank. Historic buildings and contemporary art thus offer different themes side by side; you can add each of these places to your own itinerary as you wish.
Grafschaft Bentheim as the wider setting
In the wider destination of Grafschaft Bentheim, heathland, raised and lowland bogs, wooded ridges and the Vechte river valley alternate. The area is also home to the approximately 85-hectare Itterbecker Heide, a nature reserve. Kunstwegen adds another regional dimension: this open-air museum brings together contemporary art, nature and history, stretches for more than 180 kilometres through the Vechte Valley and features more than 80 sculpture projects along its route. These landscape and art themes relate to Grafschaft Bentheim as the wider travel destination.
Find accommodation and plan your stay
For travellers with a motorhome, there is a parking area next to the old mill with power pillars and fresh- and wastewater facilities. Check these facilities before you arrive, as details may change. If you are looking for a holiday apartment, first decide whether the cycling route, the Vechte or the historic sites will shape your stay.
Discover more destinations: SchĂĽttorf, Wilsum, Emlichheim, Hoogstede, Nordhorn, Georgsdorf, Engden, Lage
Go to the wider travel overview: Grafschaft Bentheim.
