Where water, woodland and open countryside meet
The Berkel flows through Berkelland, passing farms, country houses and historic watermills. Ancient woodlands and expansive fields also shape this varied cultural landscape. At Needse Berg, some of the changes in elevation were created by earlier excavations for brickworks. A route at Needse Berg is 9.8 kilometres long—a useful point of reference when choosing a trail for your exploration.
Special nature areas each have their own character: Achterveld near Neede is one of the last wet heathland areas in the Netherlands. In the woodland at Landgoed Wolink, you can find parsley-leaved hawthorn and medlar, two species that are uncommon in the Netherlands. Nature discoveries range from a distinctive landscape to plants you can look out for when exploring more closely.
Heritage with a variety of stories
Berkelland has 330 protected monuments. The official monument map provides stories, old maps, historical photographs and films about the listed monuments. You can use it to discover individual buildings through their history and earlier depictions, rather than viewing them simply as buildings.
A notable historic site is Kasteel Ruurlo, whose construction history dates back to the 14th century. The castle houses MORE Ruurlo, which focuses on the life and work of renowned Dutch realist artist Carel Willink. Here, the castle’s long history and the story of an artist come together.
Museum De Lebbenbrugge features a 15th-century farmhouse, as well as a hunting lodge, inn and toll house dating from the 16th century. A permanent exhibition explores the history of the site. The guided tours last around 60 to 90 minutes, so you can take this time frame into account when planning your visit.
In Borculo, the synagogue combines a permanent exhibition with a documentation centre focused on Holocaust education. The “Sporen van Joods leven” (Traces of Jewish Life) walking route covers 1.6 kilometres through the town centre; including the Jewish cemetery, the route is 2.6 kilometres. The shorter and longer options offer different ways to explore Jewish life in Borculo. Brandweermuseum Borculo offers another perspective on local history, with a collection of fire engines, objects, photographs and other firefighting artefacts.
Gelselaar also has a distinctive historic townscape: the village is designated a protected village landscape, and the development of the green village is well preserved.
Gardens, water and nature experiences
Kruidenhof te Mallum covers more than 7,500 square metres. Its landscaped areas include culinary herbs, medicinal plants and flowers, as well as a central pond, winding paths and a woodland garden. Seasonal concerts, workshops and smaller events round out what the garden has to offer. The garden is also open seasonally as part of a guided evening boat trip on the historic Berkel aboard the Berkelzomp “De Snippe”.
Natuurpark Kronenkamp showcases nature, bats, clean water, art and culture. The park is freely accessible from sunrise to sunset; opening arrangements can change, so check before your visit. Another connection with water can be found at the Meren van Borculo recreational area. It is an official bathing site with good water quality, which is regularly monitored during the bathing season, from 1 May to 1 October.
Choose trails by distance and character
The Klompenpad walking trails can be compared by their similar distances and different features: one 11-kilometre trail crosses the Berkel by foot ferry and runs along the German border. Another 11-kilometre trail passes through the countryside and woodlands near Ruurlo, and by Kasteel Ruurlo. A 12-kilometre walk takes you through meadows and past farms. This lets you distinguish between the routes not only by distance but also by the landscapes described. Routes may change, so check the details before setting out.
Kerkenpaden Neede is not a walk but a 20-kilometre cycling loop that follows the bicycle junction network and takes you through the natural surroundings of Neede. The route passes ’t Vleer, a former swimming pool that is now a nature area providing a habitat for European tree frogs and other plants and animals. The Liefdespad has its own distinctive features: specially designed artistic benches or chairs with themes ranging from local ties and water to nature and technology.
Crafts, events and regional produce
At the Mallumsche Molen, visitors can regularly watch barley being hulled to make pearl barley. Festunique in Beltrum combines a flower parade with street theatre and live music. Another kind of event is the Survival Run Beltrum, held every year on the first or second Sunday in January and featuring dozens of obstacles. If you are planning a trip for this event, check the date for the year you wish to visit.
Wine and local produce are also among the things you can discover. Wijnhoeve Kunneman in Geesteren offers tastings of its own wines, served with a cheese board. The High-Wine package pairs wines with local products from Patisserie de Brink and Versboerderij Daalwiek in Geesteren.
Discover more destinations: Eibergen, Gelselaar, Neede, Ruurlo, Haarlo, Rekken, Geesteren, Borculo, Nederbiel, Beltrum.
For the broader travel overview: Gelderland.
