It is part of the municipality of Rhenen and it lies about 5 km west of Wageningen.

The village was first mentioned in 1417 as Achterbergh, and means "(settlement) behind the hill".

[3] Achterberg developed as an esdorp on the northern flank of a hill near castle Ter Horst.

In 1940, the village was the scene of heavy fighting during the Battle of the Grebbeberg.

The grist mill Crescendo was built in 1886 and destroyed in 1945 during a battle.