The heart of the Achterhoek

A varied route starts from Zelhem through the heart of the Achterhoek, once a wet area with raised moors and extensive heathlands. Nowadays a quiet and attractive area for cycling. The Tourist Transfer Point Zelhem is located opposite the former station building of the Gelderse Overijsselsche Lokaalspoorweg Maatschappij from 1885. A sculpture of the Zelhem witch Smoks Hanne hangs on the facade of the tourist information office. Her legend is mentioned on the sign on the facade. The part of the Windmolenveld on the Zelhemseweg is known as De Zeven Heuveltjes. The pine forests (wood for mining) used to be owned by the Van Heeckeren van Kell family. Now Staatsbosbeheer manages these forests. Ruurlo Castle is a castle and estate. Ruurlo Castle was mentioned as early as 1326 and has been in the hands of the Dutch noble Van Heeckeren family since the 15th century. Because the castle was permanently built in all previous centuries, the building consists of a mixture of architectural styles. Medieval wallwork still exists, especially in the basement. Almost the entire left side of the house is 16th century, with the large square tower taking its current shape in 1572. The"separate\\\" tower at the back was added in the early 17th century, and the wall on this side was provided with new gables in the 19th century. Important parts of the interior date from the Huis De Voorst, built by Arnold Joost van Keppel, which was transferred to Ruurlo in the 19th century. Just before the restoration in the early 1980s, the castle was the location for the television series 'De Zevensprong' based on the book by Tonke Dragt. The tourist office in Ruurlo has organized a bicycle tour through the village with "the Zevensprong" as the theme. The"Jonker Joostpad\\\" is another walking/cycling tour around the castle, in which Joost van Heeckeren, squire and lord of the castle from the 16th century, talks about the local heritage. Today the castle is a popular location for weddings. In 2003, the orangery from 1879 was rebuilt next to the castle, which serves as a tea house and is rented out for special occasions. Further on you will find Family Park Cactus Oase. In addition to admiring many types of cacti, there are also all kinds of activities to do in the Cactus Oasis. There is a maze where you can wander for hours, you can join a covered wagon ride and there is a treasure hunt for the little ones. The family park was founded by Bert van der Meer and his wife Anny van der Helm. They have a great passion for cacti and this is reflected everywhere in the park. There is a very cordial and spontaneous atmosphere and the cacti are very well cared for. The large collection of cacti and cowboy elements throughout the park give you the feeling that you are spending a day in Texas. The hamlet of Veldhoek belonged to the municipality of Hengelo, but also has ties with Zelhem. For example, the Zelhem pastor preaches in the church on Kapelweg. The Stellingweg got its name after the Second World War because the German occupiers had placed anti-aircraft guns and searchlights here in the young, planted estate. In 1944, a concrete substructure was also made for a launch site for V1 rockets. The monument on the corner of the Stellingweg and the Oude Ruurloseweg represents a searchlight. The Bielemansdijk is one of the oldest connections between Zelhem and Lichtenvoorde. In the 19th century it was called"Weg naar Lichtenvoorde\\\". On the south side lies the high and dry Halse Rug. On the north side lies the Wolfersveen, once an extensive impenetrable swamp area. The Halse Rug forest area was created in the last ice age by the impoundment of land ice. It is an elongated cover sand ridge between Aalten and Zelhem. Thousands of years ago, it cut through the soaking wet, central Achterhoek with its raised moors and vast, wet heathlands. The lowlands in the back are covered with drifting sand. There are still pine forests on this infertile land. Starting point TOP Zelhem Stationsplein Zelhem