We discovered a cycling route in Diepenheim which is a great option for families who want to enjoy cycling in Twente with kids. The route is 24 kilometers long and takes you past beautiful castles in Diepenheim, quiet countryside roads, and farms. We tried this cycling route in Twente with our child and found it to be the perfect distance: long enough to feel like an adventure, but short enough to stay fun. In this blog, we share our experience with the ‘6-castles route’ in Diepenheim with kids, and what to expect along the way.
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Cycling in Twente with kids: the 6 castles cycling route in Diepenheim
The 6 Castles route in Diepenheim with kids
The ‘6 Castles Route’ is a 24-kilometer cycling route in Diepenheim, perfect for cycling with kids. It took us about an hour and a half to complete. We stopped regularly to take photos of the beautiful castles but didn’t stop for food or drinks along the route. If you stop more often or for longer, it will take you longer to complete. There aren’t many places along the route to have lunch or coffee. Most food venues are located around the starting and ending points of the cycling route, in the village of Diepenheim. You can also have a drink and a light snack on the terrace at Kasteel Warmelo.
The ‘6 Castles Route’ is well-marked with blue signs, as long as you’re cycling clockwise. The official start of the route is at the tourist information point in the center of Diepenheim, but you can also start at other points along the route. For example, we started at Kasteel Warmelo, as it was closest to our campsite.
We found the ‘6 Castles Route’ to be a great route for cycling in Twente with kids, as it wasn’t too long but still diverse. You can’t cycle long distances with small children, but 24 kilometers was just right. With the beautiful castles and the rural surroundings of Diepenheim, there was plenty to see. What we also really liked was that the route passed many farms, which is always a hit when cycling with kids. Luca loved seeing all the sheep and cows. A small part of the route even seemed to go across the yard of a farm.
The start of our cycling route
The first castle we encountered was Kasteel Warmelo. This castle was once owned by the Dutch royal family. Today, this beautiful castle is no longer owned by the royal family and is open to the public. It is now also the most commercial of the 6 castles in Diepenheim, with a terrace where you can eat or drink something.
Kasteel Warmelo is surrounded by the large Warmelo estate. In this estate, you can enjoy extensive walks through the castle gardens, which are designed in different styles. There are also regular activities for children. We only stopped briefly at this castle, so we didn’t see much of the gardens. However, we did walk over to the white dove coop, which Luca thought was beautiful. He also really enjoyed seeing the turtles in the castle moat.
More castles in Diepenheim
Next, we cycled through a forested area to Huize Westerflier. We only stopped briefly to take a photo. This manor is inhabited (it has some apartments), so we could only view it from the road.
The same applied to the next castle we encountered on the route: Huis Diepenheim. This is the largest castle in Diepenheim. Unfortunately, we couldn’t see much of it because the building is well-enclosed by walls. However, the gate was quite impressive. The estate around this manor is accessible to visitors, containing many walking routes. We didn’t go for a walk but cycled on to the next castle.
Cycling to the nicest castle of Diepenheim with kids
After Huis Diepenheim, you pass through the center of Diepenheim. Here, you can have something to eat or drink. If you started at the official starting point of the ‘6 Castles Route’ in Diepenheim, the route will end here.
Once you’ve passed through Diepenheim, you will come to the impressive long driveway of Kasteel Nijenhuis. This long road, with trees on both sides, signals that you’re about to see something beautiful. And indeed, I found Kasteel Nijenhuis to be one of the most beautiful castles we saw on the cycling route. This castle is also privately owned, so you can only stop to take a photo. The garden and park surrounding the castle are open to the public. So, if you have more time, you can add a walk to your cycling route here as well.
The end of this cycling route in Twente with kids
For the last part of the route, we cycled through forests and past fields, meadows, and farms. This section of the route offers a beautiful view of the landscape of the Twente region. In this part of the route, you first encounter Kasteel Weldam. This castle is not open to visitors, but you can pay to visit its gardens. The 6th castle, Havezate Wegdam, is located on the estate of Kasteel Weldam.
After Havezate Wegdam, we passed a watermill. This is one of the few remaining working watermills in the Netherlands. For us, the watermill was the final sight of this cycling route around Diepenheim. It was time to go back to our campsite.
How to get there
Useful instructions and addresses to get to the start of this cycling route in and around Diepenheim
- Starting point: Tourist office Diepenheim
Raadhuisstraat 8, 7478 AG Diepenheim
Useful info and links
Here you can find more information about this cycling route in Diepenheim
Where to stay
Find accommodations for families in Diepenheim or in the surrounding area
FAQ – the 6 castles route in Diepenheim with kids
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Is the 6 Castles route suitable for cycling with kids?
Yes, the 6 castles route in Diepenheim is very suitable for cycling with kids. The distance is manageable, the route is mostly flat, and there is plenty to see along the way, including castles, farms, and animals.
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How long is the 6 Castles cycling route in Diepenheim?
The 6 Castles Route in Diepenheim is approximately 24 km long and takes an average of 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on how often you stop. For families cycling with kids, it may take a bit longer if you regularly pause at the castles in Diepenheim or at one of the food and drink spots along the route.
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Where does the 6 castles cycling route in Diepenheim start?
The official starting point of this cycling route in Diepenheim is at the tourist information center in the village center. However, you can also start at other points along the route, such as Kasteel Warmelo. The cycling route is clearly marked with blue signs, as long as you cycle the route clockwise.
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Which castles do you pass on the 6 Castles route in Diepenheim?
Along the route, you pass the main castles in Diepenheim: Kasteel Warmelo, Huize Westerflier, Huis Diepenheim, Kasteel Nijenhuis, Kasteel Weldam, and Havezate Wegdam. Some castles are privately owned and can only be viewed from the outside. Kasteel Warmelo is open to visitors, and the gardens of Kasteel Weldam can be visited for a fee.
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What is a good cycling route in Twente for families?
The 6 Castles Route in Diepenheim is perfect for families. This 24 km cycling route in Twente with kids is mostly flat, well signposted, and passes beautiful castles in Diepenheim, farms, forests, and meadows. Stops at Kasteel Warmelo or the castle gardens make it a fun half-day adventure.
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Can you combine the 6 Castles cycling route with walking or other activities?
Yes, many of the castles in Diepenheim are surrounded by walking paths and estates that are freely accessible. For example, at Kasteel Warmelo or Kasteel Nijenhuis, you can combine a walk with the 6 Castles Route in Diepenheim. This is a great way to break up the cycling route in Diepenheim with a short walk and explore the landscape even more.
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