In Lochem, you can choose from a range of activities, from walks through woodland, marshland and hilly countryside to architectural history, museums and theatre. When planning, it helps to distinguish between the offerings by type: some walking routes specify an exact distance, while others focus mainly on a starting point or the surrounding landscape. Cultural venues offer different experiences, from an exhibition on local history to a varied programme of performances.
Walking: distances, starting points and landscapes
SP10 Lochem starts at the red information panel at De Gloep in the centre of Lochem. Four walking routes are available from there. If you prefer a route with a stated distance, the Veen Route is eleven kilometres long and connects the historic centre with the surrounding area. Along the way, it passes marshland, hills and woodland.
The De Poort van Lochem walk offers a different focus for planning. It starts at Lochem railway station and passes through the cultural landscape around Lochemse Berg and through the Berkel Valley. There is a large car park at the station, as well as an unattended bicycle parking facility. Check local information about access to the route before your visit. Comparing the options can help with your choice: the Veen Route has a stated distance, while De Poort van Lochem focuses on its starting point and landscape.
Paaschberg also offers its own perspective on the landscape: it borders Lochem, is 25 metres high and is characterised by hilly woodland. It can therefore give you a different impression of the surrounding area from the Veen Route, whose description covers several types of landscape along an eleven-kilometre route. The route information and Paaschberg offer different points of reference; you do not need to treat them as parts of a single route.
Architectural history and culture in Lochem
The monumental water tower stands on Paaschberg. It was built in 1924 to a design by architect H. Wessel. At first, the tower also served as a lookout tower. Its year of construction, architect and former additional function give the building a clearly defined history. Visitors interested in architecture will find a specific historical point of reference here; its role as a lookout tower dates back to the building’s early years.
Berkeloord offers another perspective on local history. This villa district is more than 100 years old and has been designated a protected townscape. This information links the district’s age with its protected status; it does not describe every building in Lochem as a whole. The open-air theatre De Zandkuil is also located on the western slope of Paasberg. Sand was once quarried on this slope—a former use of the site that helps explain the area.
The Liberation Museum Lochem has a permanent exhibition about life in Lochem during the Second World War. This clearly sets the museum’s focus apart from the buildings and the history of the landscape. Together with the water tower and Berkeloord, the exhibition offers different ways to explore the past, though the places do not all relate to the same period or subject.
Theatre and the Berkel
Schouwburg Lochem offers professional and amateur performances in a medium-sized theatre auditorium and a StadsLounge. The current programme also includes concerts, band performances, jazz afternoons and readings. The range therefore extends beyond theatre performances; if you are planning a visit, you can consider the programme as a cultural experience in its own right.
Another option is a trip on a Berkelzomp boat: trips of around an hour on the Berkel are available in Lochem. The service is seasonal. Compared with a walk, where distance or landscape sets the framework, the approximate duration of the trip is a useful planning detail here. Check the dates for your travel period before making plans. This lets you weigh up culture, local history, walking and a seasonal activity according to the information available for each.
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