14 Oct DISCOVER THE VELUWE – NATURE & CITY
Are you looking for a perfect weekend getaway in the Netherlands? The Veluwe is calling! With its endless hiking and biking trails, stunning viewpoints, and serene landscapes, it’s the ideal spot to reconnect with nature and explore hidden gems. But it’s not all about nature. In this article we dive into what the Veluwe has to offer.
The Veluwe in a nutshell
Whether you’re spotting deer at sunrise or wandering through ancient woodlands, every corner of this nature reserve has something magical to offer. Ready to discover the wild side of the Netherlands?
- The Veluwe is located in the province of Gelderland, and runs past Apeldoorn, Arnhem, Wageningen, Ede and Harderwijk.
- It’s the largest National Park of the Netherlands, that includes forests, shifting sand dunes, purple haze fields, and serene lakes.
- It’s also the home of the Dutch big five; Red Deer, Roe Deer, Wild Boar, Badger, Fox, and since a few year the Wolf is back!
Visit Harderwijk
Across the Veluwe, you can find three hanseatic towns: Elburg, Hattum and Harderwijk. And is that last one, that we explored a little bit. Harderwijk was officially granted city rights back in 1231, so you could say it’s pretty historic! Walking around, you can still see the old city walls, and some of the original city towers remain. If you want to learn more about the history of Harderwijk, you must visit the Stadsmuseum Harderwijk (city museum). A place where city history and visual arts are central, but with fun interactive rooms, video’s and objects. Good to know; the ground floor is free for all, and there is a small café and garden (with the most beautiful tree!). You can combine a visit with the Marius van Dokkum Museum, which is one of the current living Dutch artists of our time. Funny, recognisable paintings, with a touch of cynicism, we really enjoyed this visit.
Besides the culture, there is much more to discover. Let’s talk about the many restaurants and cafés for example. Here are a few tips:
- Restaurant Lagom: wow. Incredible food, which is beautifully presented, overlooking the harbour of Harderwijk. They opened in the summer of 2024, but already it’s one of Harderwijk’s best restaurants. restaurantlagom.com
- Apero Wine Bar: For obvious reasons!
- Leut: for the best coffee and almond croissants! YAM is also a nice spot for coffee and lunch.
- Umberto: For amazing Italian delicacy and wine.
- De Ouderwetse Bakerij: Order Hardewijk’s famous “Zeebeer”, bread with raisons and nuts.
- Patrijs: the best ice-cream in the city – tipped by locals.
- Johannes: The place to come for fresh fish, or oysters with bubbles.
- Strand Eiland: this small island in Harderwijk is connected via a bridge, and is the perfect place to relax, play, swim and eat.
Restaurant Lagom
Where to stay in the Veluwe
You’ll be pleased to know that you can find many different hotels and accommodations in and around the Veluwe. Where the wilderness meets luxurious, spa’s, but also child-friendly getaways. We would love to highlight a few hotels in the region:
- Hotel De Werelt: Awarded the Green Key certification, making it an eco-friendly stay, surrounded by nature. With 125 rooms, this hotel in Lunteren is spacious, yet it breaths boutique. Inside, you’ll find a sauna, pool and gym, plus and a cosy cinema. Most rooms overlook the forest which you can walk staight into after breakfast. No need to look for a restaurant, because you can enjoy dinner at Bistro de Werelt. Book your stay here.
- Hotel Sterrenberg: Where luxury meets nature. Rent some bicycles, and explore the surroundings, walk around in their large garden, or relax. Kids are welcome! More about this hotel here.
- De Heerlickheijd van Ermelo: The Versailles of the Netherlands! Although it’s mainly a congress hotel, you can also come here for leissure and enjoy the spa and restaurant. For kids there is a bowling area down in the basement. Check here.
More hotels near the Veluwe here!
Hotel De Werelt
De Heerlickheijd van Ermelo
Hiking options near Ermelo
No visit to the Veluwe is complete without a hike or two. Being the largest National Park of the Netherlands, the options here are endless to say the least. We decided to take a walk in the the Leuvenumse Bossen. This forest is located in Ermelo, and we took the 5,7km route. This route takes you past creeks, over small bridges, under beautiful old trees. This walk takes about 1,5 hours and parking is free. Find out more about other National Parks in the Netherlands underneath this article.
After your walk, you can have lunch or dinner at De Zwarte Boer. This typical Dutch restaurant has been around since the 1600’s, and serves soups, salads, sandwiches ( also the Dutch broodje kroket), and plenty of drinks. They also have hotel rooms available! Another spot for lunch and tasty appelpie is Boshuis Drie in Drie (near Ermelo), run by the same owners.
Hidden Gems of the Veluwe
Did you know that there are some Hidden Gems to discover at the Veluwe? For instance, Wijngaard Telgt is one of those places. You can book a wine tour wat this family owned business, including a wine tasting with cheese, nuts and other bites. The vineyard is open for wine sales every Saturday.
Waterfalls aren’t usually what comes to mind when you think of the Netherlands, but the Loenense Waterfall holds the title of the country’s tallest. While modest by alpine standards, it’s a delightful and surprising gem in the Dutch landscape.
Find out more about the Veluwe!
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