Gravel route around Ulft in the Achterhoek region

Share this article:

That the Achterhoek is a gravel mecca, that should be obvious by now. At earlier times, we were already in the Berkelland and around Zelhem, where we rode two beautiful routes. Beautiful, long gravel strips, which the Randstadian will envy to death. This time we rode a beautiful route from beautiful Ulft, a village almost on the border with Germany. The route was the reconnaissance for the tour by RTC de Widlt from Ulft. Whether it was worth it? What do you think! This gravel route in the Achterhoek around Ulft can be so in a collection.

Text: Sander Kolsloot, photos: Sander Kolsloot and Manon Bouwman - Hiddink

gravel route around ulft, gravel Achterhoek, graveling in ulft, graveling in the Achterhoek, wide farm track, manon bouwman

Beautiful Achterhoek

I admit it. I am a suburbanite. Born and raised in Amersfoort. Via a diversion through Leiden, Amsterdam, Haarlem and megalomaniacal Los Angeles, I ended up in Utrecht. In my youth and young adult years, the Achterhoek, also actually the BACK corner. Behind the IJssel, far away, close to Germany, Normaal and all the other prejudices you can pin on it. In short, you didn't go there, only when you REALLY had to. Because the big cities, that's where it happened. If I wanted to be in nature, I would walk around Zeisterbos. An afternoon in Vondelpark, that's outdoors too, right? Since I started cycling more actively again in 2015, my view of the world has also changed. In particular, my view of the Netherlands has improved dramatically. The world is beautiful, the Netherlands is beautiful, the Achterhoek included.

Beautiful gravel route around Ulft

My cycling companion for today, Manon Bouwman, laid a beautiful gravel route. Or well, she got it from her club mates, who are preparing the tour. ‘Whether she wanted to check with her event eye whether this is a nice route’. That's a nice task. Then you can also take in the route a little better. It's also useful because then you can assess: is this a fun gravel route for a group. The official route starts at RTC de Wildt. With almost 75 kilometres for the fat tyres, it promises to be a beautiful day.

Non Stop Gravel

Anyone who is a bit familiar with the Achterhoek gravel routes will know that you can find non-stop gravel here. Singletracks, farm tracks, a scenic landscape where you have the choice between paved and unpaved plus beautiful natural areas. You'll find that on this route too. When we leave the village, within two kilometres we already have the first unpaved forest paths before us. It is the prelude to a beautiful route.

gravel route around ulft, gravel Achterhoek, graveling in ulft, graveling in the Achterhoe

gravel achterhoek, strade bianche, gravel ride Ulft

Turning and turning

We turn and turn through the landscape. Each time, I am surprised what looms behind the next bend. The ratio of gravel lanes to paved road surface is perfect. Occasionally you have to bridge a bit, but those stretches of asphalt are never elongated. A wonderful highlight on this route is the section around Vennebuiten. You really feel like you are abroad, but also away from the world for a while. Take the MTB route in this section. Beautifully winding and a small vicious climb. The result is a viewpoint with a lovely lake.

gravel around ulft, gravel rear corner, graveling in ulft, graveling in the rear corner — The beautiful Vennebuiten nature reserve

Zelhem, Germany and more

Gravel around Ulft also means near Germany. First we seek out the fields and woods around Zelhem, then through the beautiful nature reserve near the German border near Dinxperlo and through the Schievekamp nature reserve. If you're not used to this and live in the Randstad, you'll want a house here right away. If you are used to it: still a cool route and environment. If you already know the route, you can always put your own twist on it or ride it in reverse. Because that's always an option too

gravel around ulft, gravel rear corner, graveling in ulft, graveling in the rear corner, wide sandy path

Route ULFT

This route is best ridden during the tour of RTC de Wildt in Ulft. Would you like to participate in that? Then register via the association's site.

Staying overnight in the Achterhoek

Below is an overview of accommodation options in the Achterhoek for a nice weekend, a week or just a night's stay and cycling in this region of Gelderland.