County Route South

This route takes you through the Graafschap, the most northwestern part of the Achterhoek. The route takes you past beautiful castles, via De Doolhof in Ruurlo, through vast forests to the Gelderse Hengelo and Vorden. From Vorden the tour continues to Ruurlo. De Doolhof Ruurlo Not far from the castle Ruurlo, along the road to Hengelo lies a maze from 1891. In terms of surface area, this is the largest maze in the Netherlands. The length of the paths is no less than 1188 meters! The maze is open every day from April to October. Hackfort Castle and Hackfortermolen Hackfort Castle is a well-preserved castle in Vorden, where the area is freely accessible, thanks to the current owner, the Vereniging tot Behoud van Natuurmonumenten. In 1392, a house to"Hacforden\\\" with outer bailey and moats is mentioned in the loan register of the lords of Bronckhorst. It started as a residential tower. It was largely destroyed by Spanish troops in 1586 during the Eighty Years' War. In 1598 it was rebuilt by Borchard van Westerholt. This is stated on a facade stone, as well as that the castle was extensively renovated in 1788 by Borchard Frederic Willem van Westerholt. It became a more austere facade with large windows, instead of a facade with protruding toilets and cross windows with window shutters at the bottom as before. The gatehouse was demolished, so that the view of the now symmetrical front facade and the landing became free. The moats were also filled in. The castle is in good condition and is beautifully situated in the middle of forests and meadows. The Hackfort Watermill is also located near the castle. This mill is used as a hydroelectric power station and grain is ground on a voluntary basis. Gardens of Huis de Wiersse Huis de Wiersse was first mentioned in 1482. The current house is from the early 18th century. Huis de Wiersee has 16 hectares of gardens within a 32 hectare large landscape park. The gardens have been managed by the same family since 1678; the landscape park is inspired by Irish ancestors. Ferns, bulbs and native plants at ponds and stream form a surprising contrast with the colourful borders at the sunken garden. The gardens can be visited every year during the flowering of the rhododendrons (May), roses, pergola, borders (July) and with the autumn colours (October). Information at VVV Vorden, telephone number 0575 - 553222. Starting point: Hotel Avenarius, Dorpsstraat 2, Ruurlo