Top 5 things to do in The Hoge Veluwe National Park

The Hoge Veluwe National Park is one of the most popular parks in The Netherlands which is known for its calmness, high sand dunes, and thick forests. It is located in the province of Gelderland which is near the cities of Arnhem, Ede, and Apeldoorn.

This post is all about the top 5 things to do in The Hoge Veluwe National Park.

Plan your trip

Before we get started, it’s important you plan your trip beforehand. Planning ahead ensures a worry-free trip.

Before you go:

Please note that an admission fee is requested to visit this National Park as this park operates as an independent foundation. You can find the entrance tickets here. 

In order to visit the Kröller-Müller Museum which is also located in the park, a valid park ticket is needed. Asides, you also need a museum ticket, which you can purchase in advance via the Kröller-Müller Museum website.

Depending on the time of year you plan to visit Hoge Veluwe National Park, be sure to check and familiarize yourself with its opening hours. You can also check the opening hours of various dining options available on-site. Alternatively, consider purchasing a picnic package from the Parkwinkel or the food container at Marchantplein.

The way there:

The park offers several entrance points.

• Entrance Hoenderloo
• Entrance Schaarsbergen
• Museonder
• Park Paviljoen
• Kröller-Müller Museum

Distances to the center of the Park: Hoenderloo: 4 km, Otterlo: 3 km and Schaarsbergen: 10 km. You can park your car in front of the entrance, then you pay €4 parking fee. It is also possible to enter the park by motorcycle or car. This costs €8 extra.

Top 5 things to do in The Hoge Veluwe National Park

Go hiking in these stunning landscapes

With over one hundred hiking, biking and horseback riding trails, the Veluwe offers something for everyone! You can explore freely on your hike or choose to follow one of the designated paths.

Post routes

The post routes are available in 13 variants. For an overview of the signposted routes, you can use the Park’s walking, cycling and car map (€ 2.00). This is available at all entrances and the information desks in the Museonder and the Park Pavilion.

Theme walk

There is a themed walk that you can download (PDF) and print for free. The route takes about 2 hours and is 6.6 km long.

Make sure to print this out before you go!

The border post route

The Border Post Route takes you along old markers that once divided the cities of Arnhem and Ede across The Hoge Veluwe. It’s a walk full of interesting stories and history about the area. The route takes about 1.5 hours and is 4.8 km long.

Make sure to print this out before you go!

The Landscape Path

This 4.1 kilometer long cultural-historical walk takes you past various highlights of the Park, such as the Kröller-Müller Museum, the Franse Berg and the vast plain of the Pampelse Zand.

The Experience Route

This route (more than 1 km) was developed in collaboration with and made possible by the Rehabilitation Fund and the Mentally Disabled Fund. The route starts at the Museonder and is suitable for wheelchairs.

Berlage path

The Berlagepad (2.6km) runs around the pond at Jachthuis Sint Hubertus. The walk starts at the bicycle shed at Jachthuis Sint Hubertus. The route is suitable for wheelchairs.

Visit the Kröller-Müller Museum

At the Kröller-Müller Museum, you can enjoy some of the best artworks from the 19th and 20th centuries. The museum has a glass extension and a lovely sculpture garden added after the 1950s. It also has the second-largest collection of Van Gogh’s works in the world, making it well worth a visit. Find your tickets here.

Cycling

Cycling is an ideal way to explore the park, especially since you can make free use of bicycles. Hoge Veluwe National Park offers 40 kilometers of designated paths to explore. Each of the three entrances has a bicycle shed, so there’s no need to worry about finding a bike—there are plenty available for everyone.

Jachthuis Sint Hubertus

Visit Jachthuis Sint Hubertus, one of the most iconic buildings in the Netherlands. It was the couple Kröller-Müller’s wish to have a wide view of the surroundings. You can book a tour, which typically lasts about 45 minutes. While the tour is wheelchair accessible, it may not be ideal for children under 6 years old.

Spot wildlife

There are multiple observation huts spread out through the park. An ideal place to take some Hoge Veluwe National Park photos and hopefully observe some wildlife. You’ll have the best chance to spot them in the evening, late afternoon or early morning. There are a couple of different species you might have a chance of observing; red deer, wild pigs, roe deer, a species of wild sheep, mouflon, magpies, thrushes, jays, finches, woodpeckers, and titmice.

Where to stay

We stayed at Bed & Breakfast Hoeve Happiness and enjoyed our stay there so much! The calmness of the place, wellness, wonderful host and delicious breakfast were absolutely amazing!

The Hoge Veluwe National Park truly captivated us and became a standout highlight of our trip. The stunning scenery, free bikes, rich culture, and wildlife came together to create an unforgettable experience.