A new hiking trail commemorating the contribution of the Canadians in the liberation of the Overijssel’s region from Nazi occupation was officially launched this week in Holten, as part of the Liberation Route Europe. 80 years after the end of occupation in the Dutch province, a commemorative event was organised at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten featuring a memorial ceremony, the unveiling of a new ‘Vector of Memory’, and the introduction of the Canadian Trail Overijssel, the latter two part of the Liberation Route.
Launch event in Holten
The event featured speeches by Provincial Executive Erwin Hoogland, Mayor Jurgen van Houdt of Rijssen-Holten, and Jurriaan de Mol, Honorary Chairman of the LRE Foundation. All speakers emphasised the importance of continuing to commemorate and celebrate our freedom in a meaningful and relevant way involving the younger generations and making them aware of the importance of the freedom and democratic values found after the end of the Second World War. Therefore, we are glad that the Jacobus Fruytier School community in Rijssen has been involved in the project and embraced its remembrance mission by adopting the newly unveiled ‘Vector of Memory’ near the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten.
400 kilometers: 3 long-distance trails, 100+ stories, and 5 circular walks
The new Canadian trail in Overijssel has an international scope since it is part of a broader system of trails that follows the journey of Canadian troops from the beaches of Normandy through France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, highlighting relevant remembrance and historical sites and personal stories from the final phase of World War II. The new trail traces their path through the province – along the IJssel River, across the Sallandse Heuvelrug, and through the eastern regions of Overijssel – stretching from Deventer to Staphorst, Holten to Balkbrug, and Hengevelde to Gramsbergen. It spans 400 kilometers, divided into three long-distance routes and five circular walks suitable for day trips or shorter hikes. These include paths in Deventer, Zwolle, Diepenheim, Almelo and Nijverdal. Along the way, over 100 stories and remembrance sites tell the province’s liberation, resistance efforts, and civilian experiences.
A regional collaboration
The ‘Canadian Trail’ Overijssel with its ‘Vectors of Memory’ is an initiative of the LRE Foundation, developed in collaboration with historical societies, engaged citizens, Overijssel’s route bureaus, and public historian Gerjan Brinksma. The project is made possible thanks to the support of the Province of Overijssel, Collectie Overijssel, the Overijssel Cultural Fund, Stichting Bercoop Fonds, Stichting voor Elkaar (Univé), the Roelvink Fund, and the municipalities of Deventer, Zwolle, Staphorst, Rijssen-Holten, Hellendoorn, Ommen, Hof van Twente, Almelo, Wierden, Twenterand, and Hardenberg.
The route is available online on the Liberation Route Europe’s website, featuring interactive maps, a route planner, and QR-coded ‘Vectors of Memory’ that mark key locations. These markers link directly to historical narratives, allowing walkers to reflect on the past while exploring the region’s natural beauty.
