Montferland between forest, hiking trails and a moated castle

Montferland brings together historic estates, hills, forests, heathland, and expansive pasture and arable landscapes. Bergherbos features diverse woodland on a push moraine, surrounded by small fields and grassland. The nature reserve, covering around 1,800 hectares, lies on a high push moraine surrounded by flat lowlands, between ’s-Heerenberg, Doetinchem and Didam. It is managed by Natuurmonumenten and the Huis Bergh Foundation.

Explore the landscape and trails

Hikers, cyclists and horse riders can enjoy the three nature reserves managed by Natuurmonumenten. One distinctive hiking option is the Montferlandse Toppenroute: it links 18 hills in Bergherbos and just beyond the German border. The classic route is 32.5 kilometres long and can be divided into two stages. Yellow-and-blue waymarkers indicate the route; QR codes at the hilltops provide additional information about the surroundings.

For a much shorter walk, take a 2.4-kilometre out-and-back route through a heathland area to the Hulzenberg observation tower. From there, the view stretches across the Achterhoek, the Liemers and the German border region. The municipality of Montferland had the tower built; all the wood used for it comes from Bergherbos. Mountain bikers can ride the 26-kilometre, forested Bergherbos MTB route, which runs through the hills and is aimed at experienced mountain bikers. There is also a cross-border cycling network in and around Montferland.

You can also plan how to reach sections of the walking routes: Bus route 24 runs from Doetinchem via Zeddam to ’s-Heerenberg and provides access to sections of the Toppenroute. Check the timetable before travelling. At tourist transfer points, you can park and continue on foot, on horseback or by bicycle; parking options may change. Montferland also has nine starting points for the Achterhoek walking network.

Castles, gardens and history

Kasteel Huis Bergh is one of the largest moated castles in the Netherlands. Parts of the complex date from the 12th, 14th, 15th and 17th centuries. De Plantage, an 18th-century park forest with old avenues and monumental trees, is located right next to it. Huis Bergh is considered the oldest documented garden in the Netherlands.

The Montferland motte tells a different chapter of history: in the early Middle Ages, it was a strategic defensive point in the landscape. It is the largest motte fortification in the Netherlands and one of the most significant in north-western Europe. The 15th-century Muntgebouw is the only surviving private coin workshop of its kind in the Netherlands.

Wijngaard Bergherbos, run by Wijngoed Montferland, lies directly behind Kasteel Huis Bergh. Visitors are invited to tour the vineyard with a winemaker. This combines an insight into the local cultural landscape with a guided activity.

More activities and planning your stay

In Braamt, Het Land van Jan Klaassen offers an indoor and outdoor playground as well as an interactive puppet show. It is also home to the largest puppet theatre in the Netherlands. The visitor offer may change; check before your visit.

The 76-hectare Stroombroek recreation area includes a bathing lake with a beach and sunbathing lawns. Visitors can sunbathe, swim, surf, row and pedal boat there. The 1,005-metre cable waterski lift is described as the longest in the Netherlands; information about the facilities may change.

Tailor your choice to your personal plans for the day.

Discover more destinations: Stokkum, 'S-Heerenberg, Vethuizen, Braamt, Didam, Zeddam, Montferland, Rheden.

Back to the main travel overview: Gelderland.