Doetinchem, Wehl

Doetinchem is a charming Gelderland town in the Achterhoek. The history of the original Villa Duetinghem goes back to the early Middle Ages. The cosy narrow streets and some of the historic buildings, which you can still admire, bear witness to this. Like the Sint Catharinakerk and even parts of the old city wall, from that time, can still be found.

Today you will get to know Doetinchem better. The route starts in Wehl, part of the municipality of Doetinchem. You can park your car at the P+R and cycle towards junction 45 to start the route. Along recreational lake Stroombroek, created by sand extraction for the N18 motorway, you cycle to the multifaceted city. Before you cycle over the Oude IJsselbrug into the city centre, you pass De Bleek. From this green city park on the river IJssel you have a nice view of the Walmolen on the other side.

Doetinchem has other city parks, such as Canadapark in the De Hoop district. The district illustrates Doetinchem's bond with the Canadians who liberated the Achterhoek from the occupiers in 1945. As much of the city had been bombed flat and there was a housing shortage, the Canadians built this neighbourhood. In the park you will find an old Sherman tank as a monument to this period.

It is also great fun to get to know Doetinchem a little better through the city's museums. For example, there is a puppet theatre museum in the Land of Jan Klaassen that you can visit when the park is open. At the City Museum you will learn about the history of the region and at museum Tukar Menukar you will see how things were in the Dutch East Indies. So take a seat on one of the cosy terraces in the city centre and choose from the selected Pit stops for a one-day city trip.

Via the Kruisberg Woods and the rural surroundings of Laag-Keppel and Hummelo, you cycle back towards Wehl.