Flow the Collection · 8 May 2026
The Achterhoek is a rewarding area to head out with your dog. It is quiet, green and small in scale, with plenty of unpaved paths, shade and water. Around Lochem you have it all within reach: woods, estate and river within a quarter of an hour of each other.
Room to roam on the Lochemse Berg
The woods of the Lochemse Berg are ideal for a dog that wants to run and sniff. There is plenty of space on the sandy paths between the beeches and the heath; do watch for spots where wildlife lives and keep your dog leashed there. The height differences make it an enjoyable walk for you too.
Shade on the estates
On warm days the Ampsen and Verwolde estates are a relief: it stays cool under the old trees. Estates often require dogs on a leash because of wildlife and livestock, so keep the lead handy. The broad avenues are pleasant to walk and there is plenty for your dog to smell.
A dip in the Berkel
The Berkel is the place to let your dog cool off. On the gentle, sandy banks it can wade in while you keep your feet dry. Pick a quiet stretch away from the villages, stay clear of steep quays and check the current before letting it swim.
Practical tips
- Always bring water and a foldable bowl; there is not a tap everywhere along the way.
- Spring and autumn are the most pleasant; in summer loose sand can heat up quickly.
- Many village cafés and terraces in and around Lochem allow dogs, feel free to ask.
- Clean up after your dog and watch for grazing livestock in the meadows.
Dog-friendly stays in Lochem
Hotel Hof van Gelre in Lochem is a fine base for a weekend with your dog, right between woods, estate and river. You head straight out into the countryside in the morning and come back pleasantly tired together after a day outdoors.
