Almen – Village Church, Museum STAAL and the Berkel

Almen can be explored through several specific themes: village history, museums, walks and activities along the Berkel. If you are looking for a hotel in Almen, you can base your choice on the activities and themes that matter to you. The Dorpskerk and Museum STAAL are cultural highlights; trails, the river and the outdoor swimming pool offer further ideas for planning your day.

Village Church and Achterhoek Culture

The Dorpskerk Almen is generally dated to the 14th century and is a Rijksmonument, a listed national monument. It is also the oldest surviving village church in the municipality of Lochem. Dating it to the 14th century places the church in its historical period; its Rijksmonument status designates it as a monument.

Museum STAAL in Almen is dedicated to the landscape, history and culture of the Achterhoek. The two cultural sites therefore offer different perspectives: the church is a single historic building in the municipality of Lochem, while the museum looks at the landscape, history and culture of the region.

Walks and Route Planning

The Almen–Lochem section of the Berkelpad runs along the green edges of the village. It starts at the “De Hoofdige Boer” bus stop in Almen and ends on Stationsweg in Lochem, near the railway station. The bus stop and station are useful landmarks for planning the section; check current bus services and trail conditions in advance. Since the section ends in Lochem, also plan how you will continue your journey or return from there.

You can also walk along the Berkel from Almen to Lochem or Zutphen. The route options differ in a specific way: the Berkelpad has a named starting point and end area, while Lochem or Zutphen are possible destinations for walks along the river.

Donkey Walk with Advance Planning

The donkey walking route is about 5 km long and takes approximately 2.5 hours. Because the donkeys go out only once a day, advance booking is required. The approximate duration makes the walk a standalone activity; book in advance because the donkeys are only available once a day.

In the area around Almen, children can walk on the back of a rented donkey.

Staringkoepel East of Almen

Near Almen, to the east, the Staringkoepel stands on the Berkel: a historic tea pavilion overlooking the Berkel valley. It can be reached from the south by passenger ferry. Factor the ferry into your plans and check its operating schedule before visiting.

The Berkel, Nature and Leisure

The restoration of the Berkel riverbed near Almen has helped flora and fauna return. This means the river can be considered both for its walking routes and for nature restoration. Almen also has an outdoor swimming pool with canoe hire on the Berkel. If you plan to use the pool and hire a canoe, check the pool’s current opening hours and whether canoe hire is available before your visit.

Discover More Destinations

Kring Van Dorth, Gorssel, Laren, Eefde, Barchem

Back to the main travel overview: Lochem.