Oldenzaalstsestraat, Kalheupinkpark and Lonnekerberg Loop

Plan on a long, mostly lowland loop through the north side of Enschede and the Twente countryside, linking city-edge parks with the wooded rise of the Lonnekerberg. At ~35 km (≈21.7 mi) with ~300 m (≈985 ft) of total ascent, the climbing is never “mountainous,” but it adds up through repeated gentle rollers, short sandy rises, and small embankments—especially once you’re on and around the Lonnekerberg ridge (part of the Enschede–Oldenzaal glacial moraine system). (visit-enschede.com)

Nearest practical start landmark (address-level): a common, easy-to-find trailhead on this corridor is at/near IJssalon & Restaurant Halfweg, Oldenzaalsestraat 1045, Enschede (right on the Enschede–Lonneker–Oldenzaal road). It sits close to where many local walking routes begin for the Lonnekerberg area, and it’s a convenient place to sort kit before heading out. (routeyou.com)

Getting to the start (car + public transport)

• By car: Navigate (in HiiKER) to Oldenzaalsestraat 1045, Enschede and look for legal roadside parking or nearby designated parking areas. This is a busy regional road in places, so avoid informal pull-offs on bends and keep an eye out for cycle-lane access points when crossing. (routeyou.com)
  
• By train + bus: The region is well-served by rail via Enschede station (NS). From there, local buses run toward Lonneker; a commonly referenced nearby stop for Oldenzaalsestraat access is Lonneker, Dorpsstraat (then you walk out toward Oldenzaalsestraat and connect to the loop). Use HiiKER to time the last-mile walk and choose the safest crossing points. (moovitapp.com)

What the route feels like underfoot (and where the “300 m” hides)

0–6 km (0–3.7 mi): city-edge green corridors and park paths
You’ll ease out on paved footpaths, park lanes, and short connectors between neighborhoods and green strips. Expect frequent junctions, cyclists, and dog walkers—easy terrain, but you’ll want to stay alert at crossings and shared paths. This early section is ideal for settling into a steady pace because the route is long even if the grade is mild.

6–14 km (3.7–8.7 mi): Kalheupinkpark and the transition to quieter lanes
Kalheupinkpark sits between Haerstraat, Kalheupinklaan, and Maetmanpad and is used as an events location at times—so on weekends or event days you may encounter temporary fencing, crowds, or reroutes around lawns and facilities. If it’s busy, skirt the edges on the surrounding paths rather than trying to cut straight through the center. (zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nl)
Surface here is typically firm (paving and compacted paths), then gradually shifts to quieter residential streets and semi-rural lanes as you leave the denser city fabric.

14–24 km (8.7–14.9 mi): open Twente countryside—fields, hedgerows, and long straightaways
This is where “easy” can still feel demanding: the terrain is flat-to-rolling, but the distance is relentless and wind exposure can be a factor across open farmland. You’ll likely alternate between: - hard-packed farm tracks, - narrow asphalt lanes, - occasional sandy/gravelly stretches.

After rain, low spots can hold water and become slick or muddy (especially where tractors have churned the margins). Waterproof footwear or at least quick-drying trail shoes help if conditions are wet.

Lonnekerberg: the main natural landmark and the best views

24–31 km (14.9–19.3 mi): wooded climb, moraine ridge, and the “hill” of the day
The Lonnekerberg is the standout feature: a wooded hill/ridge north of Enschede, forming the southern part of the Enschede–Oldenzaal moraine complex—a landscape shaped by Ice Age glacial processes that pushed up ridges (stuwwallen) in this part of Overijssel.