The Achterhoek has launched its spring guide. “The landscape is not a backdrop, it is play space that invites you to go outside”, writes Achterhoek Tourism on the campaign page. We know that playground - the most beautiful gravel lanes, the beautiful countryside and variety of terrain that leaves you wanting more every time.

The inspiration guide appeared on 16 February and revolves around four pillars: active outdoors (cycling, hiking, gravel), culinary (local produce, breweries, wineries), hotel-to-hotel packages with luggage transport, and cultural heritage.

Countryside as a training playground

The guide bets on great new routes with options for road bike (asphalt) and gravel (over farm roads and unpaved paths). The Achterhoek has quite a bit of rolling terrain, more than you might expect, but without extreme altimeters. It is actually constantly changing and you can thus enjoy all the beauty the region has to offer with 70 to 90 kilometres of meandering past farmyards and estates.

For those going with a group: there are several hotel-to-hotel packages, where luggage is transported, you cycle from A to B, your bag already waiting for you when you arrive. Do check if your accommodation offers explicit cycling facilities - for example, good, locked storage, a cleaning area and preferably an early breakfast.

Plan B: what if it comes down in buckets?

Dutch springs. The guidebook there has a list of “inside trips”: castles, museums, tastings at local brewers and vintners. Morning ride of 50 kilometres, afternoon brewery, evening local beer on the terrace when the sun still breaks through.

They themselves call the culinary side “Taste to Taste” - packages around local produce, farm visits and craft breweries. “You can taste the Achterhoek... here everything is about pure flavours and local pride”, according to the campaign page.

Also on the spring agenda: local markets, spring festivals and the opening of pavement cafes in villages such as Bredevoort and Dinxperlo. The guide bundles everything in one place.

When are you going to the Achterhoek to cycle?