Ice Age Landscape in Hof van Twente

The Landscape

In the picturesque region of Hof van Twente lies Markelo, one of the oldest villages in Twente, surrounded by gently rolling fields and five distinctive hills. This unique landscape feature earned the village the nickname “Village of the Five Hills.” From the open fields and hilltops, you can enjoy breathtaking views over a region where hunters and gatherers roamed some 13,000 years ago. Ancient burial mounds, historic manor houses, expansive estates, and war memorials all bear witness to a rich past. In the archaeological nature reserve De Borkeld, home to the largest juniper thicket in the Netherlands, history feels almost within reach.

Nestled among gently rolling fields, stream valleys, and old hedgerows lies the charming town of Diepenheim. Though home to only a few hundred residents, it has held city rights since 1224. Diepenheim is known for its remarkable concentration of castles and country estates. Once built as stately residences for the Twente nobility, these estates are tucked away among tree-lined avenues, leafy forests, and park-like landscapes. As you cycle through the area, you pass elegant gardens, historic farmhouses, and babbling brooks, all shaped by centuries of harmony between people and nature.