The Achtkastelenroute
The oldest cycle route in the Netherlands · past eight castles · a break at De Wiersse
The Achtkastelenroute ('Eight Castles Route') is the oldest signposted cycle route in the Netherlands. The VVV of Vorden laid it out in 1913, at the initiative of the local pharmacist, and more than a hundred years later it is still one of the finest cycle tours in the country: a good 34 kilometres of flat, quiet roads through the small-scale hedgerow landscape of the Achterhoek, past eight castles and country houses.
De Wiersse is one of those eight castles, and the only one that opens its gardens to visitors every week during the garden season. What is more, the coach house with its café and shop is freely accessible on opening days, even without a garden ticket. So if you are cycling during the garden season, do include De Wiersse in your route as a resting point: coffee and cake, a walk through the gardens, and then on along the castles.
The route in brief
Practical
Distance: a good 34 kilometres, flat and well signposted with yellow hexagonal signs
Duration: around 2.5 hours of pure cycling time; with castle stops and a break, a delightful half or full day
Start: TOP Vorden (De Bleek car park, free parking) or the VVV point on the Dorpsstraat in Vorden, close to Vorden railway station
Cycle junctions: 89-93-62-63-64-65-59-57-51-50-82-85-86-81-84-88-89
Route map: booklet with map (€ 4.50) from the VVV Vorden, or view the route online at achterhoek.nl
Interactive map & GPX: follow the route online on Waymarked Trails (OpenStreetMap, with GPX download)
Route description: step by step on route.nl en gpsfietsroutesnederland.nl
The eight castles
Hackfort · Den Bramel · De Wildenborch · ’t Medler · De Wiersse · Het Onstein · De Kieftskamp · Kasteel Vorden
Along the way you also pass the Suideras, Enzerinck and ’t Zelle estates.
Most of the castles are privately inhabited and can only be admired from the outside. Kasteel Vorden is open to a limited extent and De Wildenborch opens its gardens on occasion, but De Wiersse is the only castle on the route that can be visited weekly during the garden season.
A break at De Wiersse
Café and shop in the coach house
The coach house is freely accessible on Thursdays and Fridays (May to the end of September): you do not need a garden ticket for a cup of coffee. We serve coffee from the De Pelikaan roastery in Zutphen, with cake from the Ten Broeke bakery in Lochem, toasted sandwiches, local apple juice and organic ice cream. In the shop you will find garden tools from Sneeboer and Niwaki among others, books and regional products.
For cyclists there is free bicycle parking at the main gate on the Wiersserallee (N319). All proceeds from the café and shop go towards the upkeep of the gardens.
Visit the gardens
In 2025 the gardens of De Wiersse were voted ’Most remarkable garden in the Netherlands’ (VriendenLoterij Castle Prize). The estate has been in family care since 1678; around the 17th-century house lie historic gardens with roses, borders, water features and old avenues.
Open: May to the end of September, Thursday and Friday 10.00 to 15.00 (you can stay in the garden until 16.15). On Saturday there is only a guided tour at 10.30 (book online in advance); the estate is otherwise closed that day.
Tickets: online € 8.00 (€ 8.50 at the gate); Saturday guided tour € 9.50, online only. Children up to and including 16 free.
Dogs: welcome on a short lead.
Good to know
Plan your day: Thursday and Friday
You can cycle the route all year round, but De Wiersse is only open on Thursdays and Fridays (May to September); on Saturdays there is only a guided tour at 10.30. Choose a Thursday or Friday and your ride includes both a resting point and a visit to the finest garden on the route.
With a guide
In the summer months the VVV Vorden organises guided eight-castles tours (Wednesdays and Saturdays at 13.00, booking via vorden.nl). Bicycles can be hired from Bleumink Fietsen in Vorden.
More to enjoy around De Wiersse
Prefer to walk?
- The kastelenwandeling Vorden-Ruurlo (±18 km, from station to station) runs largely unpaved through six castle estates, including De Wiersse.
- The Pieterpad was officially opened in 1983 at Kasteel Vorden; stage 14 (Vorden to Zelhem) starts right in the middle of the castle area.
- The Trekvogelpad (stage 20, Vorden to Ruurlo) crosses the eight-castles landscape.
