Stokkum: Hiking at Hulzenberg and in the Bergherbos

Stokkum lies at the foot of Hulzenberg, which is part of the Bergherbos. The woodland is also known as Montferland. Rolling countryside, gently rising fields and traces of cultural history shape the paths around the village. There are various routes and sights to choose from, from a short circular walk to longer versions of the Staickheimerpad.

Hiking around Stokkum

The Staickheimerpad leads through the rolling countryside around Stokkum and through the Bergherbos. Along the way, it passes gently rising fields and traces of cultural heritage. The route is available in 9, 11 and 16-kilometre versions. It starts at Restaurant - Terras ’t Klaphek, ’s-Heerenbergseweg 2 in Stokkum. The different route lengths offer a practical guide when planning how far you would like to walk.

Please note the change to this route at Eltenseweg: the section of the Staickheimerpad there has been permanently rerouted. Printed leaflets still show the old route. Therefore, use the current map on the website or in the Klompenpaden app. This will help you follow the updated route rather than an older version.

Another option is the 2.4-kilometre out-and-back walk from the Hulzenberg car park on Eltenseweg. It passes through heathland to the observation tower on Hulzenberg. There are 104 steps to climb to the viewing platform; from the top, the view stretches across the Achterhoek, the Liemers and the German border region. Compared with the 9, 11 and 16-kilometre versions of the Staickheimerpad, this walk is considerably shorter.

Hulzenberg and the Bergherbos

The Stokkumse zandbulten are among the landscape features on the slopes of Hulzenberg. The nearby Bergherbos provides habitat for pine martens, badgers and honey buzzards. These natural features complement the open fields and rolling terrain that characterise the Staickheimerpad. Together, these places showcase different sides of the surrounding area: woodland and heathland, as well as agricultural land and viewpoints.

A shorter historic path is also part of the village’s history: the Möllepaedje connects Molenbult and Gildestraat. It is one of the old church paths that Stokkum once had. Its purpose differs from that of the longer hiking routes: the focus here is on connecting two named places and its former role as a church path.

Mill, Hagelkruis and church

Düffels Möll was built in 1861 on a raised site outside the village. Following a successful restoration in 1986, it resumed operation in 1988. Its location outside the village at the time and its later return to operation offer two different points of reference for the history of the building. Stokkum’s Hagelkruis was first mentioned in 1624 and belongs to the Liemers type.

St. Suitbertus Church in Stokkum was built in 1915 under parish priest G. van Sonsbeeck. Jac. van Gils and Joh. van Dongen are named as its architects. Its floor plan is cruciform, with short arms.

The area’s earlier settlement history also forms part of its past: Stokkum was first mentioned in written sources in 1240 under the name Stokhem. Archaeological finds suggest that the woods around Stokkum were already inhabited 2,500 years ago. These finds therefore point to settlement long before the first written mention.

Between Stokkum and Elten, a crossing for cyclists and pedestrians passes over the German A3 through the woods of Montferland. It offers another way to experience the area on foot or by bicycle. The hiking trails, historic buildings and evidence of earlier settlement each offer a distinct perspective on Stokkum and its surroundings.

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

Return to the main travel overview: Montferland.