Are you ready to trade the hustle and bustle of the Dutch cities for some breathtaking open spaces? National Park De Hoge Veluwe is a must-visit in The Netherlands. Whether it’s your first adventure in the country or you’re returning for another round, this national park definitely deserves a spot on your itinerary. With its stunning sand dunes, diverse wildlife, and one of the op museums in the country, Hoge Veluwe a delightful surprise that you won’t want to miss.
How to get to national park Hoge Veluwe
- It’s roughly a one-hour drive from Amsterdam. You can enter through Otterlo, Hoenderloo, or Schaarsbergen. There’s paid parking at all three main entrances. The national park is 100% car-free.
- Catch a train to either Ede-Wageningen or Apeldoorn, then catch a bus to the entrances at Otterlo or Hoenderloo. Or take a train to Arnhem and take bus 9 or 108 to reach the southern entrance at Schaarsbergen. Use 9292ov.nl to plan your trip.
- When planning your (day)trip it’s advisable to book your entrance ticket online.
- Hoge Veluwe national park is always beautiful to visit, but it’s especially captivating at the end of August when the heather is in full bloom or in autum when the park is dressed in golden splendour and you’re most likely to spot wildlife.
How to get around Hoge Veluwe national park
Once you step into the national park, you leave your car behind. The best way to soak in the sights is by hopping on one of the free white bicycles. You can grab one at any park entrance, the Kröller-Müller Museum, or the visitor center. If you’d rather walk, there are plenty of marked trails to choose from, whether you’re up for a quick stroll or a half-day hike. Visiting with kids or in need of some extra support? Bike trailers and adaptive bikes are also available.
Where to stay near Hoge Veluwe National Park
Landal Miggelenberg
Just a short walk from the entrance to National Park De Hoge Veluwe, Landal Miggelenberg is a great place to enjoy nature. The park provides easy access to various forest trails, including ones designed for kids. Right on-site, the holiday park is brimming with family-friendly activities. Kids will have a blast at the adventure playground, water play area, and the indoor pool featuring a slide and rapids. Plus, there’s bowling, table tennis, archery, and mini golf for some friendly competition.
De Wije Werelt
De Wije Werelt is a dreamy glamping destination nestled between the Veluwe forest and the sandy expanses of the Middelpunt van Nederland (the geographical heart of the country). It’s a fantastic base for families looking to explore De Hoge Veluwe between the months of May and October. Stay in fully equipped safari tents or cosy woodland lodges with private terraces.
The park features a natural swimming pond, a heated outdoor pool, forest play areas, and even a little theatre.
Boutique Hotel Beekhuizen
Tucked away in the enchanting Veluwe forest, at the base of the Posbank, you’ll find Boutique Hotel Beekhuizen. Keep your eyes peeled as you might just catch a glimpse of one of the big five animals at this charming hotel, which features only 21 cozy suites and lodges. Guests often spot wild boars right from their rooms that border the forest. The interior design and breakfast offerings are absolutely delightful. Each door opens to a serene oasis, making it the perfect getaway.
Hotel de Cantharel
Van der Valk Hotel Apeldoorn – de Cantharel is just a stone’s throw from the entrance to Hoge Veluwe National Park and strikes the perfect balance between luxury and comfort. With spacious rooms and suites, a relaxing wellness area and even horse stables for those who love to ride, it’s an ideal spot for all types of travelers. After a day spent exploring the park on foot or by bike, you can kick back and enjoy a delicious meal at the stylish restaurant.
Hotel de Sterrenberg
Design, luxury and style come together in Hotel de Sterrenberg in Otterlo. This charming adult-only boutique hotel is tastefully decorated with natural materials and warm, earthy tones that echo the stunning Veluwe landscapes. It’s an ideal hotel for a romantic retreat or a solo escape into nature. Guests can relax in the spa area, with swimming pool, sauna, steam room, and gym, or savor a leisurely evening at the restaurant. Plus, it’s just a short stroll or bike ride to the park entrance.
Boutique Hotel Nº15
In the heart of the Veluwe forest, Boutique Hotel Nº15 offers a genuine retreat into nature. This cozy boutique hotel is located in the quaint village of Hoog Soeren, a car-free paradise that’s just right for leisurely bike rides and catching glimpses of wildlife in the early morning. The hotel exudes warmth and hospitality, featuring classic rooms and a restaurant that delights with authentic Dutch dishes, including seasonal local game. Its prime location makes it perfect for exploring Hoge Veluwe National Park.
Top things to do in & around Hoge Veluwe National Park
Hoge Veluwe National Park by bike
Discover the beauty of Hoge Veluwe on two wheels. Hoge Veluwe National Park boasts over 40 kilometers of cycling paths that lead you through a variety of stunning landscapes. From serene pine forests to breezy heathlands and sandy dunes. You can grab a free white bike at any of the park entrances and at Kröller-Müller Museum and take your time soaking it all in. Autumn is particularly breathtaking, with trees dressed in golden hues and a good chance to spot deer and wild boar along the way.
Discover the various hiking trails
Hoge Veluwe is a paradise for walkers and hikers alike with paths that wind through woodlands, stretch across open heath, and meander by sandy dunes. Start your adventure at the visitor center, where you can grab maps and find the best routes. Don’t miss out on the Mossel trail and De Zandverstuiving. these arelocal favorites. If you visit in late summer, you’ll be treated to a breathtaking sight as the heath transforms into a sea of purple.
Kröller-Müller Museum
Don’t miss the Kröller-Müller Museum. One of the best museums in The Netherlands, nestled deep within Hoge Veluwe National Park. This cultural treasure houses the second-largest collection of Van Gogh’s works in the world, along with pieces by Picasso, Mondrian, and Rodin. Don’t miss the amazing works of Dutch artist Charley Toorop either, one of my favourite Dutch female painters. The expansive sculpture garden is a wonderful spot for a picnic or a great place for kids to engage with art in a more playful manner.
Jachthuis Sint Hubertus
Take a tour of Jachthuis Sint Hubertus, an elegant hunting lodge designed by Berlage that stands out beautifully in the natural surroundings. The architecture is truly impressive and guided tours provide fascinating insights into the Kröller-Müller family and the park’s history.
Radio Kootwijk
Tucked away deep into the national park the remarkable Radio Kootwijk building is a true testament to 20th-century architecture. The building once served as a link between The Netherlands and the Dutch colonies through radio waves. With it’s striking, somewhat brutalist design it resembles something out of a movie which is only enhanced by the beautiful natural surroundings of the building. Nowadays, visitors can take guided tours to delve into the building’s history, or simply enjoy the stunning Art Deco features from the outside while hiking or biking through the scenic landscape.
Wildlife spotting in Hoge Veluwe
One of the highlights of visiting Hoge Veluwe is spotting wildlife. It’s the best place in The Netherlands to do so. The national park is home to red deer, foxes, badgers, wild boar, and even Highland cattle. The best times for wildlife sightings are early mornings or late afternoons, especially around dusk when the animals are more active. Try the viewing spots near De Koperen Kop or Marchantplein for a good chance of seeing something special. In autumn, red deer rutting season puts on a dramatic (and noisy) show, while spring welcomes wild boar piglets, frislingen in Dutch.
If you’re lucky enough to encounter wildlife, keep quiet, stay on the paths, and observe from a respectful distance. Never try to feed or approach animals. And definitely avoid getting between a wild boar and her young, no matter how cute they look.
Paleis het Loo
If you’re looking for a day trip: just a quick 20-minute drive from the park will take you to Paleis Het Loo in Apeldoorn. This palace is one of the highlights of The Netherlands. Once home to royalty, it has been beautifully restored and now serves as a museum, complete with formal gardens. You can explore the grand rooms, stroll through the picturesque gardens, and even take a walk on the palace roof for some breathtaking views.
Veluwezoom National Park
Just a quick drive or a leisurely bike ride will take you to Veluwezoom National Park, where you’ll find the stunning Posbank. These hills are among the highest in the area, offering breathtaking views and a beautiful display of purple heather when it’s in bloom. If you have a bit more time to spare, this is definitely a great addition to your visit.
Harderwijk
Harderwijk is a former Hanseatic town nestled by the Veluwemeer. With its picturesque streets, historic architecture, and wonderful gastronomy, it’s a fantastic spot to unwind. Harderwijk is particularly famous for its fresh seafood, especially smoked eel. The car-free old town invites you to spend a leisurely afternoon wandering, shopping, and enjoying the many terraces. My personal favourites include Marius van Dokkum Museum, Vischpoort, the Eef & Co shop and Patrijs.
Arnhem
On the east side of Hoge Veluwe the city of Arnhem is a very welcome place to visit, or even to stay, if you’d rather find a hotel in a bigger town (spending the night at Boutique hotel The Church is an amazing treat!). Arnhem is the capital of Dutch fashion design and made its mark in history when it was at the very center of The Battle of Arnhem, during WWII. Highlights in Arnhem are the Airborne Museum in Oosterbeek, the Dutch Open air Museum and Burger’s Zoo, which is fun to visit with children.
Hoge Veluw National Park, The Netherlands
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21 Comments
Kyle Studstill
August 3, 2017 at 7:43 pmI had no idea about those dunes, I’ve never seen that combination of woodlands and sand!
Esther
August 3, 2017 at 8:12 pmThere’s another inland dune area in The Netherlands, which is even more spectacular. I hope to visit that next year. Thank you for stopping by Kyle.
budget jan
August 3, 2017 at 11:54 pmI was so surprised by the sand and “walking” trees. Thanks for introducing yourself and your blog.
Johlene Orton
August 5, 2017 at 1:25 pmThis is so interesting! Here in Gran Canaria where I live we have sand dunes but they are next to the beach, not in the middle of a forest!
Lydia C. Lee
August 9, 2017 at 11:22 pmThose tree roots are crazy! How does it not fall over?
Esther
August 10, 2017 at 10:52 amI know right Lydia! They look like they walk off at night to have a beer at the nearby pub 😉
Marcella
August 10, 2017 at 12:48 amHow gorgeous, I love the sound of this trail! What a lovely forest, and as ever I just love your close up shots – especially those of the berries! 🙂
Tara
August 10, 2017 at 11:09 amIt looks stunning, perfect for a Sunday afternoon ramble. Shame the blackberries weren’t quite ripe enough to eat.
Jules
August 10, 2017 at 2:06 pmLooks like a nice rural area to leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind you
Clare
August 10, 2017 at 7:25 pmI couldn’t agree more, Esther. I always have to head out to the countryside to clear my head. Fortunately where I live, we’re surrounded by fields and woods so I end up escaping to a city for a change of scene! Your woodland walk sounds wonderful and even better to find sand dunes too.
Donna
August 12, 2017 at 4:07 pmBeerschoten estate looks like a wonderful place to get out of the city for a while and walk in nature. Sand dunes surrounded by forest sound both spectacular and a little bit eerie.
Michelle
August 13, 2017 at 8:45 amWild blackberries!! <3 <3 LOVE them. When I lived in rural Ecuador we used to pick and eat them without a second thought, but then a guy from England mentioned that he would never do it back home because of dog poop and whatnot. Can those blackberries be eaten?
Esther
August 13, 2017 at 10:45 amThat’s the best part about wild blackberries. To take them home and eat them! I love picking blackberries when they’re ripe, though I always take them home to rinse them off (to rinse out little bugs and such), they are the best! Thank you for stopping by Michelle.
Anda
August 14, 2017 at 11:52 pmI agree with you, Esther. I find a lot of inspiration for writing when I travel in the beautiful nature around my hometown. We have wild blackberries in the mountains around Los Angeles also, but we don’t have so green and lush vegetation like you do.
Katy
August 15, 2017 at 10:15 amWhat a pretty spot Esther. I would love to walk along those paths picking blackberries and spotting squirrels.
Catherine (Cultural Wednesday)
August 15, 2017 at 4:15 pmSquirrels and blackberries what could be finer?
Esther
August 15, 2017 at 9:22 pmI didn’t spot any squirrels, unfortunately. But they were there no doubt, along with owls and other pretty birds. Thank you for stopping by!
Lolo
August 16, 2017 at 9:26 amOh what a lovely trail and a great place to escape from the city!
Erin Gustafson
August 16, 2017 at 9:16 pmWild blackberries! Reminds me of my Oregon on the West Coast of the U.S.! I also need a respite in nature to keep my creativity up – thanks for sharing a bit more about you! Nice to know! Cheers from Copenhagen, Erin
Kana
August 23, 2017 at 5:36 pmYay for blackberries! I spent a lot of my childhood in Washington State and we had tons of blackberries in our backyard. I never knew why anybody would consider it a nuisance up there, I was like “FREE BERRIES!” hahaha! Looks like a beautiful place to immerse in nature!
Janine Good
August 23, 2017 at 10:26 pmThis forest is so lush and beautiful. I love the fresh blackberries and the clean air that is clearly around you. I would love to explore this area someday.