Brummen between heathland, the IJssel and paper history

The landscape of the municipality of Brummen stretches from the forests of the Veluwe, across a broad agricultural landscape, to the IJssel. Nature reserves, historic country estates and Eerbeek’s paper history give a stay a variety of highlights: you can explore open heathland, walk along signposted trails or learn about the development of a long-established industry.

Heathland, ponds and country estates

Empese en Tondense Heide is an open area between the Veluwe and the IJssel. Dry and wet heathland alternate with purple moor-grass meadows, wet nutrient-poor grassland and ponds. Visitors are welcome and can stroll along walking trails and a boardwalk among flowers and plants, while enjoying wide-ranging views.

Hiemberg has a different character: fields, ponds, small woods and shrubs form a link between the larger nature reserves of Empese en Tondense Heide and Voorstonden. The ponds are home to the rare garlic toad. Some parts of the area are accessible; walking and horse riding are permitted on public paths. There are no dedicated walking trails or routes there, but parts of the natural landscape can be viewed from public roads.

At Landgoed Leusveld, woodland, flower-rich meadows, avenues of old trees and rhododendrons come together. Roe deer, badgers and great crested newts live there; sightings are seasonal and cannot be guaranteed. The estate is suitable for walking and cycling. Its heritage includes Jachthuis Leusveld, a Neo-Renaissance national heritage monument dating from 1911, between Eerbeek and Brummen.

The history of Huis Voorstonden also goes back a long way: the house was built in 1550 on the foundations of an earlier building dating from the 14th century. The estate includes a house surrounded by a moat, a garden, an orangery and a coach house. Ponds, paths and a rustic arched bridge have been restored in the park woodland. Access to the estate may be restricted.

From paper history to mills

Eerbeek is known as a paper village and has a 400-year history of papermaking. Since the 16th century, springs have been harnessed to supply paper mills and laundries. The paper industry and related sectors shaped the town’s physical and economic development. The public artwork “De Papierschepper” on Stuijvenburchplein commemorates this industry.

The Korenmolen in Eerbeek offers another link to local craft history. It is still in operation and is a stop on the “Mankes en Weber” route. The Eerbeekse Oliemolen at Landgoed Huis te Eerbeek is considered the only working overshot water-powered oil mill in the Netherlands. Kasteel Engelenburg adds another historic stop: its history dates back to 1570. The grounds include a 9-hole, par-72 golf course among historic trees; in the 16th and 17th centuries, nobles hunted game there.

At ART-Brummen, participating artists open their studios on four weekends a year, once in each season. Visitors can see where the art is made and talk to the artists. The participating studios and specific dates may change, so check the relevant event date before visiting. The ART-Brummen cycling route can also be ridden outside the open-studio weekends. Studio visits outside those weekends are usually possible only by prior appointment.

Walks, cycling routes and waterways

For walking, the Veluwe walking network in Brummen offers a total of 150 kilometres of paths. Marked routes, including Klompenpaden, also cross agricultural land that has been opened to the public; access may change depending on land management. One specific route is the NS walk “Uiterwaarden van Cortenoever”: it runs from Brummen station to Zutphen station, following the IJssel and the Berkel. You can extend the walk with Staatsbosbeheer’s Laarzenpad through floodplains, flower-rich meadows, marshes and hedgerows. Access to this path may vary seasonally.

Another option is the 24-kilometre “Langs de Uiterwaarden” route. It runs from Brummen along the IJssel floodplains to the Cortenoeversbrug and back to Brummen via the Bronkhorsterveer ferry. The ferry carries pedestrians, cyclists and cars across the IJssel between Brummen and Bronckhorst; timetables and fares may change, so check them before crossing. For mountain bikers, the MTB Route Veluwezoom starts at Eerbeek station and is 45 to 58 kilometres long. Route lengths and starting-point details may be updated.

There is also an opportunity to get out on the water on the Apeldoorns Kanaal: visitors can launch canoes, kayaks or SUP boards from the renovated landing stage near the Hallse Brug. Access and equipment requirements may change; check the current situation before setting out. The Toeristisch Informatiepunt Brummen provides information to help you explore the region, including details on attractions and car, cycling and walking routes.

Discover more destinations: Eerbeek, Brummen, Tonden, Hall, Nijkerk, Hattem, Lochem, Millingen Aan De Rijn.

For the main travel overview: Gelderland.