Vorden, Wichmond and Wildenborch

Vorden originated in the Middle Ages on one of the cover sand areas on the Vorensche Beek. The name probably comes from the word"voorde\\\", which indicated a ford. Vorden is located on the edge of the Graafschap National Landscape, which makes the area rich in nature and a beautiful area for nature lovers. The village has no fewer than eight castles, making it one of the most castle-rich villages in the Netherlands. Not only the villages in the Graafschap are beautiful; the nature is also beautiful. Landgoed Het Enzerinck, located next to Vorden, is a beautiful area. A country house built in 1836 dominates the estate, but the surroundings of the house are also beautiful. Special tulip trees bloom there and the magnolia also thrives there. Among the grasses you will find silverweed, daisies and the sharp buttercup, while forest horsetail, valleywort and small periwinkle grow under the foliage in the park forest. Accompanied by the drumming of three species of woodpeckers on the tree trunks and the singing of the blackcap, robin and garden warbler, this bike ride will undoubtedly delight nature lovers. You leave in a westerly direction to the Hackforter mill. This beautiful round stone mill was built in 1851. In the early twentieth century, the mill fell into disrepair due to a nearby mill. In 1943, Baron Van Westerholt decided to repair the mill and in the same year the Hackforter mill was used to grind again on wind power. In 1967, 1974 and 1985 the mill was also restored. Nowadays, milling is done on a voluntary basis. Those who want to view the inside of the mill can visit it on Wednesday afternoon and Saturday morning. Next to the watermill is the fairytale castle Hackfort. The castle has two sturdy towers that characterize the castle. The fortress was originally a residential tower that was largely destroyed by Spanish troops during the Eighty Years' War. The castle was rebuilt in 1598 and underwent a major renovation in 1788. The castle is nowadays in good condition and is located in the middle of beautiful forests and vast meadows. You then cycle on to Huis Suideras. This castle is located on the edge of the village of Vierakker and is first mentioned in 1326. The present house, however, was not used until 1891 and was built opposite the place where the old house stood. That original house was in such bad shape that it had to be demolished and there is nothing left of it. The estate is open to the public, but the house is a private residence. Then you cycle past Wildenborch Castle, of which it is not known when it was built. First mentioned in 1372, the house was strategically located in the middle of swamps making it an ideal hideout after raids. The house is not open to the public, but the estate and accompanying gardens are. Kasteel Den Bramel is a country estate in the heart of the Achterhoek. Little remains of the first two castles that stood here. The current building dates from 1725, with old masonry from an earlier house being converted. In 1868 the house was provided with a neo-Renaissance stepped gable and in 1881 the roof was covered with slate and a turret was installed. The estate is open to the public, but the castle itself and the surrounding gardens are private.