Beautiful nature between Harfsen and Lochem

Municipality of Lochem... 11 villages and 1 city. Hidden in the scenic landscape so characteristic of the Achterhoek, the municipality of Lochem is home to many types of nature reserves and beautiful surroundings. This route takes you to Laren and Lochem.

In Laren you can admire the village church , a neoclassical water control church from 1835. Partly hidden in the greenery are a number of beautiful country houses and castles. On the route you also pass Huis Verwolde . The current Huis Verwolde was built in 1776 in neoclassical style. It was extensively modernized in 1926. A tower was added to the north side. The house received a new roof and the interior was renovated. The last inhabitants of the house were Baron Allard van der Borch van Verwolde, with his family. In 1976 the house was transferred to the Geldersch Landscape and Castles Foundation. On the estate of Huis Verwolde is the Dikke Boom van Verwolde... the thickest oak in the Netherlands. It is therefore a real heavy boy with a height and crown width of 25 meters and a trunk circumference of approximately 770 cm. The age of this giant pedunculate oak is estimated between 450 and 500 years. Yellow/black signs lead you on a paved path to the \\\"Pearl of Verwolde\\\" . Along the way you will find other special trees, including the remains of "Oom Frits", an oak that was planted in 1791 on the occasion of the birth of Frederik van der Borch van Verwolde.

Lochem has a lot of nature and is rich in history. There are still medieval streets. On the market in the center of Lochem, the bumpy cobblestones are a reminder of the time when citizens still dragged in field boulders to strengthen the city walls. The Grote or Sint-Gudula Church , a medieval city church, is also located here. The church was designated as a national monument in 1966.

The Ampsense Veld is located like a green heart in an open agricultural environment. The landscape is very varied with coniferous and deciduous forests, moist heaths and organic agricultural lands. Some areas are designated as rest areas. Deer, mouflons and wild sheep with curved horns live here. The history of Huis Ampsen dates back to 1105. The first castle and both houses on the estate were destroyed by the Spanish in 1605. The current house was renovated in the first half of the 17th century.