The Erve-Kots walking route offers a practical way to explore Lievelde’s rural surroundings on foot: it is 7 kilometres long, starts at TOP Erve Kots and follows quiet roads and paths. If you would rather link several village centres on one route, the De Besselinkschans walk offers a different perspective: its circular route passes through the village centres of Vragender, Lievelde and Lichtenvoorde. The two descriptions therefore differ mainly in their setting—here, paths through the countryside; there, a route through three village centres.
Walking Trails and Historic Traces
The Erve-Kots walking route also leads to the historic viewpoint at the English Schanze. The defensive structure lies in the area around Lievelde, between Lievelde and Vragender on Schansweg. It is a remnant of the siege line around Groenlo. State troops under Frederik Hendrik built it in the summer of 1627 during the Eighty Years’ War; from a lookout tower, you can see the reconstructed English Schanze. This makes it possible to combine a walk with a specific insight into the area’s history, without conflating the two routes.
Another place of remembrance is right in Lievelde: the Corten steel monument depicts a life-size branch with a leaf. It commemorates Jewish forced labourers who were assigned to work at this labour camp. The monument stands next to the intersection of Lievelderweg and Hamalandweg. Its precise location and simply described motif make it a destination in its own right for anyone wishing to learn about the area’s history.
Nature Area and Trails
The Koolmansdijk nature area is home to a rich variety of flowers and plants, including several orchid species. Walkers can follow the designated “Laarzenpad” (Boot Trail); a cycle path also runs around and through the area. This offers different ways to explore the area on foot or by bike. The plant life and the trails address two different planning questions: what is there to discover in nature, and how can you experience the landscape along the way?
Farm Life and Craftsmanship
At the Achterhoeks Openluchtmuseum, two farmhouses—Boerderij Kots and a Los Hoes—show how the farming community lived and worked in close connection with nature. A 1920 wood sawmill is powered by an electric motor. The farmhouses offer insights into historic ways of life and work; the sawmill adds a specific piece of machinery to the theme. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closes at 4 p.m. during the winter months. Check the opening hours before you travel, especially if you are planning a visit during the winter months.
During the Kaasboerderij Weenink excursion, a film explains how the farm makes cheese. The excursion also includes a guided visit to the cow barns, the milking robot and the cheese store. This gives you both an explanation of the production process and a look inside the areas of the farm mentioned above. Boerenspelen activities are also available to book there for groups, with games such as cow milking, sawing wood, grabbing and hayfork throwing.
The Brouwhoes Bier Experience focuses on something different: this interactive team activity covers the brewery’s history and how its beer is made. Together with the cheese theme, it offers a comparison of two different approaches to food: one activity is about cheese-making and farm areas, while the other focuses on brewery history and beer brewing.
A Practical Route to MegaPret
If MegaPret is part of your plans, you can use Lichtenvoorde-Groenlo station as a reference point for the walk: MegaPret is about a 15-minute walk from there. Despite its name, the station is located in Lievelde. The time is approximate, so take this into account when planning.
Discover more destinations: Lichtenvoorde, Groenlo, Vragender.
Back to the main travel overview: Oost Gelre.
