Barchem: Trails, Nature and Village History

Barchem lies in the Achterhoek region at the foot of the Lochemse Berg. In the wider area, the Lochemse Berg is an important recreational area for Lochem and Barchem, with numerous cycling, hiking, and horse-riding trails. Marked routes, natural areas, and village history give a stay in Barchem a variety of points of interest.

Hiking Trails and Natural Areas

Marked hiking trails ranging from 5 to 25 km start from the village square in Barchem. The Ommetje Barchem is a 5.77 km hiking trail. Another marked trail, about 4 km long, starts at the entrance to Hagenbeek on Flierdijk. These details offer different trail lengths for orientation, from one shorter route to the range of trails starting from the village square.

Hagenbeek is a 42-hectare nature reserve managed by Staatsbosbeheer. Stelkampsveld, designated as a Natura 2000 site, lies in the wider area around Barchem and Borculo. The Boschheurneroute runs through this area as a sandy track. This makes it possible to distinguish the route through Stelkampsveld from the marked trail at the entrance to Hagenbeek.

The Kale bergroute is a 9.49 km hiking trail. Along it is the Witte Wievenkoele, a sand pit associated with the local legend of three Witte Wieven who lived there. The Kastelenroute Barchem has different markings: white-and-brown signs bearing the words “Barchem - Kastelen” mark the route, which can be walked in either of two opposite directions.

Cycling and Getting Around

The 21.20 km MTB Route Lochem covers Lochem and Barchem. Wooden posts bearing the international purple MTB symbol mark the route; the symbol consists of a triangle with two circles underneath. One starting point is at Landgoedhotel Woodbrooke and Brasserie Woods, Woodbrookersweg 1 in Barchem. Landgoedhotel Woodbrooke is also described as a historic attraction in Barchem.

Koeleman Barchem is the VVV tourist information office for Barchem and rents out bicycles, electric bicycles, tandems, ATBs, trailers, and children's bicycles. You can collect your rental from the shop; delivery to a holiday address can be arranged. If you are planning to rent an item, check its availability before your trip.

Bus routes 57 Borculo–Lochem–Deventer and 58 Borculo–Lochem–Zutphen run through Barchem. They are joined by route 858, an evening circular service Vorden–Lochem–Ruurlo, and route 458, a weekend service Lochem–Borculo. As timetables can change, it is advisable to check the connection for your travel date in advance.

Village History and the Woodbrookers

The Barchkerk is a historic building in the center of Barchem, at the five-way intersection. On Landgoed De Kalenberg there is a chapel that the Woodbrookers used for more than 100 years as part of their educational center. Both places offer different insights into the history of the village and its surroundings.

The Vereniging Woodbrookers also offers a cultural point of interest in Barchem: current issues relating to society, philosophy, faith, and life can be discussed in a space where everyone is welcome. The subject therefore extends beyond local history to include issues of the present day.

Events in Barchem

Barchems Feest takes place every year during the last full week of August. The program includes, among other things, an open-air church service, a fair, a parade, a bird-shooting competition, decorated streets, an afternoon for seniors, an evening celebration, and a morning reception. If you would like to plan your trip around the festival, check the event date in advance.

The Barchemse 4Daagse is a four-day hiking event, where participants can choose, among other distances, a 50 km route. Participants start at Dorpshuis ’t Onderschoer, Beukenlaan 1 in Barchem, and check back in there after the day's hike. Check the dates for this event too if it is a key factor in your travel plans.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Laren, Almen, Gorssel, Kring Van Dorth, Eefde.

Back to the main travel overview: Lochem.