Achterhoek
The Achterhoek is a cultural region and COROP area in the Eastern Netherlands.
Its name is geographically appropriate because the area lies in the easternmost part of the province of Gelderland and therefore in the east of the Netherlands, protruding into Germany. The Achterhoek lies at the east of the IJssel. On the other sides, it borders Germany to the southeast and the province of Overijssel to the northeast.
Getting to Achterhoek
To get to Zutphen or Winterswijk, take the Intercity train to Apeldoorn and change in Apeldoorn to the small diesel train connection Zutphen and Apeldoorn in 20 minutes. It leaves from Apeldoorn at --:10 and --:40, a few minutes after the Intercity from Amsterdam arrived. It usually departs from the opposite side of the platform.
Worth seeing
The Achterhoek has many castles. Vorden alone has seven of them. Though not all can be visited, many are open to the public for a reasonable entry fee. Must-sees include Kasteel Huis Bergh (Bergh Castle), located in 's-Heerenberg and Kasteel Keppel (Keppel Castle) in Laag Keppel Museums in the Achterhoek are mostly local town museums. They generally display only items of interest to locals.
Things to do
The Achterhoek is ideal for hiking, especially in the well-forested area of Monferland which is great for a long walk during summer or fall. The Pieterpad also passes through this area. Every year a four-day hiking event is held sometime during the month of May (in 2017, from the 24th to the 27th). The Achterhoekse Wandelvierdaagse usually takes place in and around Doetinchem.
Where to eat
The Achterhoek does not have many local products to its name, except the city of Doesburg which has its own mustard. If you like mustard, it's definitely worth a try. Centrally located in the Achterhoek, you’ll find De Radstake, which has existed since the year 1200. In addition to being a large event venue, you can also enjoy delicious food in its restaurant.
Text adapted from Wikipedia and Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photograph: Dietmar Rabich (see Commons), Wikimedia Commons.