Achterhook, Rural region in eastern Gelderland, Netherlands
The Achterhook is a rural region in eastern Gelderland, along the German border. Small settlements spread across meadows, hedgerows, patches of woodland, and streams that wind through the gentle terrain.
Several Hanseatic towns such as Zutphen and Doesburg formed during the Middle Ages and linked the area to trade along the Rhine and IJssel. Their defensive towers, gates, and market squares recall this merchant past.
Old timber farmsteads and oak barns define the character of the small settlements. Some communities still speak the Low Saxon dialect that has been passed down through generations in this corner of Gelderland.
A dense network of cycle paths connects the old towns, nature reserves, and farmsteads across the entire area. Many routes can be started from railway stations or small village centers and lead through open fields as well as woodland sections.
Bronkhorst is considered the smallest city in the Netherlands and preserves its historical appearance with only a few dozen residents. Visitors find old gabled houses, a church, and a village square packed into a tiny space.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
