Holiday in the Netherlands: the Achterhoek

In the easternmost part of the province of Gelderland you will find the Achterhoek. The north of this region borders Twente and Salland. In the east and south, the national border with Germany forms the edge of the area. The Achterhoek is close by and there is plenty to do!

When you follow the route along the IJssel in the Achterhoek, you immediately notice the changing landscape. Countless kilometers full of forests, a road that is no longer straight, large trees and farms around you. This makes it versatile and thus the Achterhoek offers the perfect journey of discovery through Gelderland. You have countless hiking trails, sights, events and of course campsites. So you don't have to be bored for a moment!

Fun things to do

Castles

The Achterhoek is known for its many castles. Huis Bergh Castle is a medieval castle, which is immediately an eye-catcher for anyone approaching. Surrounded by a moat and half enclosed by an old rampart. For all other castles, you can here look further.

Museums

There are many museums you can visit in the Achterhoek! Learn about the history of the area, view beautiful artworks and soak up the culture. Look here for the various museums the region offers.

Wellness

Achieve ultimate relaxation? Visit one of the wellness centers the Achterhoek has to offer. Complete tranquility amidst nature and forests. Let yourself be pampered with a massage, that's true relaxation!

Delicious wine

What many people don't know is that the Achterhoek is one of the largest wine regions in the Netherlands. There are about twenty vineyards in the region. Book a tour, tasting or make use of fully catered arrangements.

For more events, museums, outdoor activities and recreation, read here more.

Campsites in the Achterhoek

The Achterhoek has almost a hundred campsites and also dozens of camper pitches. Are you looking for a quiet campsite at a farm, a camping spot on the water or perhaps one hidden in the greenery? There is something for everyone here!

It is a wonderful region for camping. You can enjoy nature, peace and space. Besides small and large campsites, there are also special facilities spread throughout the region. At no fewer than 27 locations, special columns have been placed that offer electricity and water and the possibilities for discharging dirty water.

View the entire list of campsites here and the complete list of camper pitches.

History of the Achterhoek

About 200,000 years ago, the geological basis of the Achterhoek was laid during the penultimate ice age. The phenomenon arose from an enormous mass of land ice that moved through the current IJssel Valley southwards to where Nijmegen is now located.

In the East, there were also ice shifts, and enormous quantities of sand, stones, and clay were pushed up to form the high hills of Montferland, the Lochemse Berg, and the Kalenberg. After the ice melted, a thick layer of boulder clay remained. Over thousands of years, this was filled with erosion material from higher areas and other material brought by rivers.

In combination with the last ice age, which not only brought cold but also winds and drought, the Achterhoek was covered with sand. These were all ingredients of Mother Nature to create a characteristic cover sand landscape: elongated, gently undulating ridges and shallow depressions, which drain poorly because the boulder clay is close beneath the sand. After the last ice age, the climate became milder, and the higher parts of the Achterhoek became covered with forest. In the impermeable depressions, marshes and fens formed.

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