Hoge Veluwe National Park

Hoge Veluwe National Park is one of the largest national parks in the Netherlands, covering roughly 55 km² in the Gelderland province. Part of the much larger Veluwe natural area (1,100 km²), it is a popular short-stay tourist destination for the Dutch. The park is north of Arnhem and east of Ede, praised for its natural beauty, diverse wildlife and the Kröller-Müller museum for modern arts.

The Veluwe was formed some 150,000 years ago when thick glaciers pushed sands from the Meuse and Rhine delta aside. The park was established by the wealthy businessman Anton Kröller and his wife Helene Kröller-Müller, who was an art collector. The landscape features forests, heathlands, streams, small lakes and desert patches with sand drifts among the largest in Europe. Commonly sighted wildlife includes deer, mouflon wild sheep, wild boar, foxes and badgers. The climate is temperate with mild summers (17–23 °C) and cool winters (0–6 °C).

By Train

No train station in the park. Ede-Wageningen (15 km) has intercity connections. From there, take bus 108 to Otterlo or Hoenderloo, then bus 106 to the park entrance.

By Car / Road

Three entrances: Hoenderloo (N304/N804 from Apeldoorn, exit 19 on A1), Otterlo (N310 from Arnhem or N304 from Ede/Apeldoorn) and Schaarsbergen (N311 from Arnhem via A12 exit 25). Parking at entrances costs €3.30; inside the park €6.60.

Cars are allowed on main roads but most paths are for bicycles and on foot. Free bikes available from the visitors centre. Maps and routes available there. Camping is not allowed except at the nature camping site within the park.

• Kröller-Müller Museum — Second-largest Van Gogh collection in the world, plus Picasso, Seurat and Mondrian. Houtkampweg 6, Otterlo. 10:00–17:00. €3.50 (in addition to park fee).

• Jachthuis Sint-Hubertus — Hunting lodge designed by Berlage, shaped like deer antlers. Guided tours only, €3.

• Museonder — Underground museum with root systems, water runs and extinct wildlife. Included in park entrance.

• Hiking: marked routes from 3.5 km with themes like game sighting and panoramic views.

• Theme-based routes with information leaflets (€1).

• Guided walks with a nature guide (book ahead via [email protected]).

• GPS routes (€10/half day).

• Restaurant Monsieur Jacques — Inside the Kröller-Müller museum. Sandwiches from €4.
• De Koperen Kop — Opposite visitors centre. Self-service lunch. Dinner must be outside the park.

Tap water is safe. Cafés and restaurants within the park close in the late afternoon.

• Budget: Nature camping within the park (limited).
• Mid-range: Hotels in Otterlo from €80/night.
• Upscale: Hotels in Otterlo or Ede from €110/night.

Visitors centre shop: park honey, local products, souvenirs, books, wooden toys. Kröller-Müller museum shop: art-related books, CDs and products.

• Otterlo (entrance village) — Cafés and restaurants.
• Ede (12 km) — Shopping and dining.
• Arnhem (25 km) — Provincial capital.
• Apeldoorn (15 km) — Royal palace Het Loo.
• Veluwezoom National Park (20 km) — Oldest Dutch national park.