Luchem is now officially the pedestrian municipality of the year

BARCHEM / LOCHEM – With a trophy presented – a figurine by artist Theo van Eldyk, Lochem was officially crowned municipal march of the year on Saturday morning. This happened in Barchem, where at the time 9 hiking trails through the village were officially included in the Achterhoek hiking network.

Publisher Yves van den Brink of the pedestrian newspaper Te Voet and Te Voet Online presented the statue to Alderman Eric Jan de Haan, who has leisure and tourism activities in his portfolio and is also chairman of the board from Achterhoek Tourism. Van den Brink congratulated Blochem on a successful campaign which garnered many votes. “Lochem is a worthy winner. Beautiful bocage view. In addition, calm and accessibility are important.

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Campaign

Alderman De Haan accepted the trophy and flowers as a sign of gratitude and congratulated Laura van de Linde on the well-conceived winning campaign. Van de Linde is a consultant for the municipality of Lochem at Achterhoek Tourism.

De Haan, who opened the pedestrian network around Barchem a little later, also paid tribute to the villagers who have worked there for years. “We have to put our shoulders on the wheel and perseverance pays off,” said a city councilor. Gerrit de Vries is the initiator of “Barchem Wandeldorp”. It all started 6 years ago, when he noticed more and more pedestrians walking past his home in Looweg. This road is part of the Central Holland Highway.

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walking village

De Vries: “The focus was on cycle tourism. I thought that in Barchem, where a number of walking events have already taken place, we should focus on walking. I started alone and it was difficult. Later, I received support from other people, but it turned out that it is not easy to get things done. The matter actually began when he presented it during the development of the project of the village of Barchem.

This achievement was carried out by a working group of 6 people with the support of Achterhoek Tourisme. This organization required a lot of work and was also able to obtain funding. Gert Rippers, a member of said working group, said on Saturday that 5 walking routes have already passed through Barchem and 4 have been added. All routes pass through Dorpsplein, where the necessary explanation is given by three signs. Tracks can be downloaded to the phone via QR codes.

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Network

Rebers further explained that the approach was to use the new ways to get in touch with Luchem, Borkolo and Roorlow. Consultations with landowners often went well, but were sometimes difficult. We had to change some paths a bit. Thus, the Barchem trails are included in the Achterhoekse Wandelnetwerk, but there are also road signs with the name Barchem. Get to know the pedestrian village.

More information about the Achterhoekse hiking network is here to find.
The Barchem methods are also available on the Lucem tourist office website.