Veluwe

Orientation

The Veluwe is a region, not one park or a single entrance. Its woodland, heathland, sand drifts and estates spread across central Gelderland, with Arnhem, Apeldoorn, Ede and Harderwijk useful gateways. Plan around one area rather than trying to cross the whole region in a day.

The terrain is largely sandy, with noticeable climbs around Veluwezoom. Trails range from surfaced cycle paths to loose sand and forest tracks.

Choose your landscape

• Kootwijkerzand: The largest drifting-sand area in western Europe. Walk the marked sand paths and climb the viewing tower for the clearest sense of the open landscape. Radio Kootwijk’s monumental former transmitting station stands beside it; the building itself opens only for excursions and events.
• National Park Veluwezoom and Posbank: Heath-covered hills and broad views near Rheden. The five-kilometre Posbank route starts at the visitor centre and follows marked paths through the heath.
• De Hoge Veluwe: A ticketed national park between Arnhem, Ede and Apeldoorn, with forest, heath, grassland and sand drifts. It also contains the Kröller-Müller Museum, where the permanent collection includes Van Gogh, Mondriaan, De Stijl and Futurism, plus a 25-hectare sculpture garden.

Walking and cycling

Walking and cycling are the practical ways to cover the Veluwe. Use the signed networks and stay on the route intended for your activity; many tracks are reserved for walkers, cyclists, mountain bikers or riders.

In De Hoge Veluwe, 2,000 free White Bicycles are available alongside walking, cycling and bridle routes. The park has entrances at Otterlo, Hoenderloo and Schaarsbergen. Bus 106 links Ede with Otterlo, the park entrance and the Kröller-Müller Museum.

For the broader region, intercity trains stop in Arnhem, Apeldoorn, Ede, Amersfoort and Zwolle; buses continue to towns and trailheads. Stations and several bus stations offer rental bikes. By car, use edge-of-nature parking areas and start on foot or by bike.

Timing and access

Late summer brings purple heath; autumn is the strongest season for colour and for seeing large animals from a distance. Start early for quieter paths. Most nature areas are open from sunrise to sunset, while De Hoge Veluwe is open every day with seasonal closing times.

Important: Kootwijkerzand has seasonal closures from 15 March to 15 July to protect ground-nesting birds. Do not cross closed sections or roam freely through the sand; use the marked paths. At Posbank, some roads are closed to motor traffic on weekends, public holidays, and throughout July and August.

Nature rules

Keep dogs leashed unless signs explicitly permit off-leash access. Give grazing animals and wildlife space; do not feed or approach them. Take litter away, keep noise low, and observe local entrance signs: access rules vary between landowners and protected areas.