Holiday apartment in Barchem: nature, trails and regional culture

Barchem is located in the Achterhoek at the foot of the Lochemse Berg and combines nature experiences with regional history and vibrant traditions. When you choose a holiday apartment in Barchem, you will find a place where short walks, longer days of hiking, cycling tours and cultural discoveries can be combined into different kinds of holiday days.

Holiday apartment in Barchem between mountain and nature

In the surrounding area, the Lochemse Berg is an important recreational area for Lochem and Barchem, with numerous cycling, hiking and horse-riding trails. The Stelkampsveld is also located in the wider area around Barchem and Borculo and is designated as a Natura 2000 area. The Boschheurneroute runs through the area as an unpaved path. In the Hagenbeek nature reserve, further nature experiences are the focus: the 42-hectare area is managed by Staatsbosbeheer, and an approximately 4 km marked trail begins at the entrance on the Flierdijk.

Barchem offers several clearly distinct options for different days of hiking. Marked hiking trails ranging from 5 to 25 km start from the village square. The Ommetje Barchem is 5.77 km long, while the Kale bergroute covers 9.49 km. The Witte Wievenkoele along this route is a sand quarry associated with the local legend of three Witte Wieven who lived there. This allows you to choose trail lengths and landscape impressions to suit your own daily plans, without every outing having to be the same.

Cycling routes and practical information

Barchem also offers specific options for a cycling holiday. The following bus routes run through the village: 57 Borculo–Lochem–Deventer, 58 Borculo–Lochem–Zutphen, 858 as the evening circular route Vorden–Lochem–Ruurlo, and 458 as the weekend route Lochem–Borculo. Koeleman Barchem is the VVV tourist information office for Barchem. Bicycle rental is also available there: bicycles, electric bicycles, tandems, ATBs, trailers and children's bicycles are available for rent. Collection is possible at the shop; delivery to a holiday address can be arranged.

The Lochem MTB route is 21.20 km long and covers Lochem and Barchem. It is marked with wooden posts bearing the international purple MTB symbol, consisting of a triangle and two circles beneath it. One possible starting point is at Landgoedhotel Woodbrooke and Brasserie Woods, Woodbrookersweg 1 in Barchem. The Kastelenroute Barchem provides further orientation: it is marked with white-and-brown signs bearing the inscription “Barchem - Kastelen” and can be followed in two opposite directions.

Culture, history and special days

Barchem also has notable destinations away from the trails. The Barchkerk is a historic building in the centre of the village at the five-way intersection. Landgoedhotel Woodbrooke is considered a historic attraction in Barchem. Landgoed De Kalenberg is home to a chapel that the Woodbrookers used for more than 100 years as part of their educational centre. In Barchem, the Vereniging Woodbrookers offers a space where everyone is welcome and where current issues relating to society, philosophy, faith and life can be discussed.

A holiday apartment in Barchem can also serve as a base for a holiday shaped around a special events schedule. The Barchemse 4Daagse is a four-day walking event in which, among other options, participants can choose a distance of 50 km. Participants start at Dorpshuis ’t Onderschoer, Beukenlaan 1 in Barchem, and check out there again after their day of walking. The Barchems Feest takes place every year during the last full week of August. The programme includes, among other things, an open-air church service, a fair, a parade, bird shooting, decorated streets, an afternoon for seniors, an evening celebration and Frühschoppen.

Your choice of location can therefore reflect different holiday priorities: short marked trails, longer hikes, a mountain bike route, regional nature reserves or cultural impressions in the village. Barchem offers specific destinations and route options, while a holiday apartment or holiday home allows you to shape your preferred daily rhythm yourself.

More places for planning your trip: Eefde, Laren, Almen, Gorssel, Kring Van Dorth.

For the higher-level travel overview: Lochem.