Barchem is in the Achterhoek, at the foot of the Lochemse Berg. Hiking trails start in the village, while nature reserves and other routes add to the options in the surrounding area. History and events are also part of the village’s character. You can plan your stay around the things that interest you most, such as a particular hiking distance, a cycling route or the date of a village festival.
Hiking around Barchem
Marked hiking trails ranging from 5 to 25 kilometres start at the village square. Two named routes offer a specific guide to the options: the Ommetje Barchem is 5.77 kilometres long, and the Kale bergroute is 9.49 kilometres long.
The surrounding area also offers a variety of landscapes. The Lochemse Berg is an important recreational area for Lochem and Barchem, with numerous cycling, hiking and horse-riding trails. Stelkampsveld is in the wider area around Barchem and Borculo and is designated as a Natura 2000 site. The Boschheurneroute passes through it along a sandy track. A marked trail of about four kilometres starts at the entrance to Hagenbeek on Flierdijk. Hagenbeek itself is a 42-hectare nature reserve managed by Staatsbosbeheer.
Cycling and getting around
The Lochem MTB route is 21.20 kilometres long and covers Lochem and Barchem. Wooden posts bearing the international purple MTB sign—a triangle with two circles below it—mark the route. One starting point is at Landgoedhotel Woodbrooke and Brasserie Woods, Woodbrookersweg 1 in Barchem.
Those wishing to rent a bicycle can find bicycles, electric bicycles, tandems, ATBs, trailers and children’s bicycles at Koeleman. Pick-up is available at the shop; delivery to a holiday address can be arranged. Check availability before travelling. Koeleman is also the VVV tourist information office for Barchem.
For travel within the region, bus routes 57 between Borculo, Lochem and Deventer, and 58 between Borculo, Lochem and Zutphen, run through Barchem. Route 858 is an evening circular route between Vorden, Lochem and Ruurlo; route 458 runs between Lochem and Borculo at weekends. As timetables can change, it is worth checking the current schedule when planning your trip.
Local history and events
The Barchkerk is a historic building in the centre of Barchem, at the five-way junction. A chapel stands on Landgoed De Kalenberg, which the Woodbrookers used for more than 100 years as part of their educational centre. In Barchem, the Vereniging Woodbrookers offers a space where everyone is welcome to discuss current questions about society, philosophy, faith and life.
Barchems Feest takes place every year during the last full week of August. The programme includes, among other things, an open-air church service, a fair, a procession, a shooting competition, decorated streets, an afternoon for senior citizens, an evening celebration and a morning get-together. This set period gives you a different planning reference from the Barchemse 4Daagse: the four-day hiking event includes, among other options, a distance of 50 kilometres. Participants set off from Dorpshuis ’t Onderschoer, Beukenlaan 1, and check in there again after the day’s hike.
The Witte Wievenkoele on the Kale bergroute also connects a route with a local story: the sand pit is associated with the legend of three Witte Wieven said to have lived there. A stay in Barchem therefore offers a range of possibilities—from marked trails and nature reserves to local history and events.
Discover more destinations: Kring Van Dorth, Eefde, Almen, Gorssel, Laren.
Return to the main travel overview: Lochem.
