From Sand Sculptures to Castle Routes: Discover the Versatile Heart of Gelderland from Your Veluwe Holiday Home!

Do you want to enjoy an unforgettable holiday in one of the most beautiful natural areas in the Netherlands? Then book a holiday home in the Veluwe and take in vast heathlands, dense forests, and drifting sands! Cycle past centuries-old castles, relax in the sandy areas of Kootwijk, or visit great attractions such as sand sculptures and an open-air museum! Choose the most beautiful walking or cycling routes from your Veluwe holiday home or explore what the largest nature reserve in the Netherlands has to offer! Where in the Veluwe will you spend your holiday? Let the following article inspire you!

Veluwezoom National Park

In the middle of Veluwezoom National Park lies the second-highest point in the Netherlands: the Posbank. Hikers will fall in love with the rolling heath landscape and sweeping views. Want to go on multi-day hikes or bike tours from your Veluwe holiday home? Your holiday won’t be complete without visiting this stunning heathland! Travel through Veluwezoom from Loenen to Rheden, passing through forests and open moorlands. In August, the purple bloom is at its peak, and the park becomes a true hiking paradise. The nearby forest also offers surprises, such as natural springs, streams, and the Loenen Waterfall. Planning to spot wildlife? Then don’t miss the Elsberg viewpoint in Dieren!

Cycling in the Veluwe

The Veluwe’s natural beauty is grand and varied—best discovered by following one of the many bike routes. From your holiday home in the Veluwe, you can easily spend the entire day exploring breathtaking landscapes. Discover the contrast of dense forests, sandy plains, and heathlands as you follow the signs from Apeldoorn to Kootwijk or Ermelo. Prefer a scenic ride along the water? Cycle along the Apeldoorn Canal beneath oak trees gracefully leaning over the towpath. Follow this former waterway to the town of Hattem on the river IJssel and enjoy a well-earned break in this charming Anton Pieck-style village. Booking a holiday home in the Veluwe in spring? Keep your eyes open for wildlife—you might just spot a deer or a group of wild boar!

Discover Gelderland’s Castles from Your Veluwe Holiday Home

No matter where you stay in the Veluwe, adventure awaits from every Veluwe holiday home, because nature here has something to offer in every direction! Staying near Arnhem? Start a bike ride with a detour to the leafy estate of Zypendaal and its stately manor house. Several worthwhile stops lie along the way. The first appears after a scenic stretch through country estates, near the town of Doorwerth, where a medieval moated castle lies hidden in the woods. Continue the route back toward Arnhem via a scenic detour along the Renkum heath and the Veluwezoom. You may feel saturated with natural beauty by the end of the route, but the final jewel of this castle tour is anything but anticlimactic. Rosendael Castle, with its water features and expansive garden, is a feast for the eyes—and the on-site brasserie invites you to relax in style.

Hiking in the Veluwe

The Deelerwoud is a nature reserve between Hoge Veluwe and Veluwezoom, where forests and heathland alternate. Hike in the early morning or twilight hours and you may have the place all to yourself—except for the Scottish Highland cattle! Near Ede, you’ll also find a variety of walking trails that let you enjoy the vast heath and the silhouettes of pine forests. Most routes start at Restaurant De Planken Wambuis, a popular spot for recreational walkers. Opt for a longer trek into the forest and you may encounter wildlife like deer, foxes, or wild boar.

Scenic Drives Through the Veluwe

The relatively large distances in the Veluwe make it ideal for relaxed scenic drives. Navigate your four-wheeler through forest landscapes and enjoy the ever-changing scenery. A car trip also allows you to park and explore on foot or visit interesting sites. Start your road trip in Arnhem and cross the Veluwe toward Apeldoorn. Along the way, you’ll pass the Kröller-Müller Museum, and if time permits, finish with a visit to Het Loo Palace. A beautiful backroad route in the north, between Assel and Heerde, takes you past Staverden Castle, Cannenburgh Castle, or the sheepfold in Heerde.

Admire Sand Sculptures

A unique attraction in the Veluwe you definitely shouldn’t miss is the sand sculpture exhibitions in Garderen and Elburg. In Garderen, most of the sculptures are created around a specific theme. They’re absolutely fascinating to admire—and you can do so at your own pace. Don’t forget to take a break on the terrace and enjoy coffee and cake while gazing at the large and intricate artworks! Equally impressive are the indoor sand sculptures in Elburg, where you’ll discover sand stories and biblical figures.

Open-Air Museum in Arnhem

Want to travel back in time for a day? The open-air museum near Arnhem lets you experience life in the Netherlands during the past two centuries. Ride the tram through the village and hop off wherever you like to see how traditional craftsmen used to work. It feels like stepping into old-time Volendam, with its green façades, windmills, and drawbridge. Wandering through the village is an experience in itself. On the central square, surrounded by charming gabled houses, children can play on modern replicas of vintage bicycles.

Renting a Holiday Home in the Veluwe

Want to surround yourself with a vast natural area? Book a weekend getaway in a Veluwe holiday home to enjoy walks or bike rides through Veluwe’s stunning landscapes. Want to discover more? Stay longer—because the Veluwe truly has it all! From cycling routes past castles and rolling heathlands to wildlife spotting in the forests near Ede, and sand sculptures in Garderen and Elburg!