Graveling in the Achterhoek is booming. Many cyclists have been gripped by the gravel virus. The Achterhoek, the well-known region in the Netherlands, seems made for it. Lots of long dirt roads, beautiful gravel paths, what more could you want? Time to zoom in on that too. Guest blogger Nynke Cuperus went graveling in the Achterhoek for us. The pictures and the route are finger-licking good. When will you go graveling in the Achterhoek?
Superb region
The Achterhoek. You will find this region east of Apeldoorn and Arnhem. A region with a varied landscape that will make your gravel bike heart beat faster. Not only are there forests and hills, but also old tractor paths and wide dirt roads that take you past characteristic farmsteads and beautiful meadows. That off-road riding is good here is also proven by the good MTB route network. For instance, the mountain bike route near Lochem was voted the best route in the Netherlands at the MTB Trail Awards. A 300-kilometre mountain bike network is also being built in the region. That is no mean feat! This should make the region the mountain bike Mecca of the Netherlands.
Read also: Five reasons to start mountain biking
Text and photos: Nynke Cuperus
Beautiful routes
Since these grand plans sound super cool, I decided to get on my bike with my friend and go graveling in the Achterhoek region myself. Via Outdoor Achterhoek you will find a dozen routes that take you past the most beautiful spots in the region and beyond. The routes have been compiled by local gravel enthusiasts. You will also find routes that are part of the Strade Bianche Achterhoek, a beautiful event that has been organised for several years in a row.
On the recommendation of Outdoor Achterhoek, we decided for the Graveltour Montferland of 55 kilometres to go. This route runs through one of the hilliest parts of the Achterhoek and takes you to the southern part of the region; the Montferland. You will also make altimeters on the German Eltenberg.
Start in Zeddam
The route starts at Berc Bike Studio Café in picturesque Zeddam, a nice village on top of a hill. At Berc Bike is a good base. Besides a beautiful bike shop, you will also find a cosy bike café where the coffee and special beer are waiting for you. Don't have your own bike or can't take it with you in the car? Then you can also rent a mountain or gravel bike here and support the Princess Máxima Centre in the process. My friend rented a mountain bike from Berc Bike because the gravel bikes were not in at that time. The MTB was a good alternative.
Let's go!
As soon as we turn the corner at Berc Bike, a climb immediately awaits us. We cycle up the 'Wall of Zeddam', a half-kilometre-long cobbled road with a gradient of 3.7%. In 2017, the street was part of the National Cycling Championships. The top of the climb is at 42 metres and there we are immediately rewarded with a nice view over the Montferland. So a very nice start to the gravel ride!
Through the middle of nowhere in Germany
We then cycle along all kinds of dirt roads past farms and take in a whole section of a mountain bike trail from the 1990s. That course cannot be compared to the singletracks of today, as we cycle on wide gravel strips. As soon as we reach the German across the border, we ride along a narrow forest path, after which we soon cycle through meadows and on tarmac country roads again. Maybe it's because of the weather (heavily overcast with a strong wind), but it is striking that we hardly meet any people here.
Calves
Because of the strong wind, we have to pedal hard and there is hardly any shelter to be found. When we almost get cranky, we suddenly cycle past a farmyard with a barn full of calves. And of course we have to stop there! The calves are very curious, they all want attention. So sweet! The calves totally cheered us up! And while we were still talking about how cute they were, we suddenly find ourselves back in Netherlands cycling. Now we encounter a lot of water. We also cycle the wrong way for a while, causing a shortcut over an embankment have to take.
Climbing at Mount Elten
Good news! The course turns here and now weede have a tailwind. Of course, that makes cycling a lot nicer! Also, the best part of the route soon arrives; for we see the church tower of Hoog-Elten in the distance. That means we are going to climb again! The 82.4-metre-high Eltenberg is waiting for us. And although you obviously can't compare this 'mountain' to the Alps or Dolomites, we can still see for miles from the top.
Last bit of graveling in the Achterhoek
Having enjoyed the view, we descend. And that descent is cool! In fact, a narrow path leads us downhill right through a forest. We make some more kilometres through the forest and along dirt roads, and then cycle into the town of 's-Heerenberg. There - totally unexpectedly for us - Kasteel Huis Bergh appears, one of our country's largest moated castles with a beautiful estate. The Bergherbos, which we cycle through next, also belongs to Huis Bergh. Then, pretty soon, we see the mill of Zeddam reappearing. That means we are back at Berc bikes: time for cappuccino, apple pie and bike talk!
Route and more
We noticed that people are very friendly when you pass them and often say hello. We recommend that you take plenty of food and drink with you when you get on your bike. Indeed, we did not come across many catering establishments along the way. Also, be prepared for some long stretches where you cycle on asphalt. Due to the strong wind, those parts of the route were a little less fun, but that is a good reason to come back when the sun is shining and nature is in bloom. After all, you certainly get a holiday feeling in the Achterhoek. Have fun cycling (and the route to go gravelling in the Achterhoek is below ;))
Read also:
- Gravel route around Ulft in the Achterhoek region
- Gravel route in Gelderland: Exploring the Strade Bianche Achterhoek
