Vreugderijkerpad, Agnietenbergpad and Schellerdijk Loop

This is a long, low-relief rivers-and-polders loop on the west and south edges of Zwolle, linking three very different “Zwolle outdoors” zones: the IJssel floodplains at Vreugderijkerwaard (Vreugderijkerpad), the wooded hill-and-park landscape around De Agnietenberg (Agnietenbergpad), and the open dike-top panoramas of the Schellerdijk. At roughly 47 km / 29 mi with about 100 m / 330 ft of total ascent, it’s physically “easy” in terms of climbing, but it’s still an all-day outing because of the distance and the exposed, often breezy terrain.

Likely start / trailhead landmark (nearest known address): the most practical and commonly used access point for the Vreugderijkerwaard section is the Natuurmonumenten parking area by Schapenmelkerij (sheep dairy) De Vreugdehoeve, Zalkerveerweg 20, 8042 PL Zwolle (right by the Vreugderijkerwaard floodplain entrance). (natuurmonumenten.nl)
(If your GPX starts elsewhere, this is still a very good “anchor” landmark to navigate to and then pick up the loop using HiiKER.)

Getting to the start (car + public transport)

• By car: Navigate to Zalkerveerweg 20, 8042 PL Zwolle (De Vreugdehoeve / Vreugderijkerwaard). Parking here is widely used as the access point for the floodplain paths and the route to the bird hide. (natuurmonumenten.nl)
  
• By public transport: Zwolle has excellent rail connections; from Zwolle Station you’ll typically finish the last stretch by local bus + a short walk, or by bike (common in the Netherlands). If you want the simplest logistics for a 47 km day, consider taking a bus/taxi to the Zalkerveerweg area and finishing back toward the city. (Use HiiKER to confirm the closest stop to your exact start point.)

What the walking is like (surface, exposure, pacing)

Expect a mix of: - Dike-top paths (often paved or hard-packed), very fast underfoot but wind-exposed. - Floodplain tracks and “laarzenpad” (boots path) style sections near Vreugderijkerwaard that can be wet, muddy, or grassy, especially after rain or during high-water seasons. (res.cloudinary.com)
- Park/woodland paths around Agnietenberg that feel more sheltered and can include short, punchy rises (still modest overall).

A realistic moving pace for most hikers on this terrain is 4–5 km/h (2.5–3.1 mph), but add time for gates, muddy slowdowns, birdwatching stops, and any café breaks—plan this as a full-day hike.

Vreugderijkerpad / Vreugderijkerwaard (approx. 0–16 km / 0–10 mi)

Right away you’re in the IJssel delta floodplain landscape: wide skies, reedbeds, wet grassland, and side channels. Natuurmonumenten has developed the area with features like a “nevengeul” (side channel) to support dynamic river nature, and there’s a well-known bird hide (vogelkijkhut) reached from the parking area. (natuurmonumenten.nl)

What to look for: - Birdlife is the headline here. This is classic Dutch riverine habitat—expect lots of waterfowl and waders depending on season, plus raptors hunting over open fields. - Water level variability: after wet periods, low sections can be slick or saturated. Waterproof footwear or at least quick-drying shoes and spare socks can make the day far more comfortable.

Navigation notes: - Floodplain paths can braid and rejoin; use HiiKER to stay on the intended line, especially where informal tracks tempt you closer to waterlogged ground.

Agnietenbergpad (approx. 16–32 km / 10–20 mi)

As you arc back toward Zwolle’s greener edges, the feel changes from “big river space” to a more