Have you ever wondered where you could do some sports, enjoy the beautiful nature and stare at some precious, mind-blowing art? Well, there’s a place in the Netherlands where you can do all these activities – it’s called the Hoge Veluwe National Park.
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Visit Hoge Veluwe National Park – a natural treasure of the Netherlands
In case you’re traveling through Europe, make sure to mark this one as a destination you should visit. It’s not that hard to find it, as Hoge Veluwe is located in the province of Gelderland near some cities like Wageningen, Apeldoorn, Ede, and Arnhem. It’s close to the border with Germany, and it’s easily accessible from both inside the Netherlands and Germany. Its stunning landscape is the main reason why so many tourists travel to see the wonders of Hoge Veluwe National park.
This place is a green treasure of the Netherlands. But despite the incredible nature and the beautiful sights accompanied by the characteristic flora and fauna, this park offers something you don’t easily find in other such destinations. However, before we go through the fantastic activities that you can do here, let’s take ourselves back in time and learn something more about the establishment of this national park.
Dig into the history of Hoge Veluwe National Park
The main establishers of this reserve are known to be Anton Kröller and his wife Helene Kröller-Müller that in 1909 set up this place as a private estate. At some point in time, the property was handed over to a foundation which financed by the State created a great national park for everyone to enjoy. From its beginnings, it has been improved by the import of wildlife and the construction of several buildings. Part of these buildings is established by the Kröller couple, presenting the main hobbies and passions of both husband and wife. Today, you can still visit the hunting residence that is called St. Hubertus Hunting Lodge and the Kröller-Müller Museum which started as a passionate hobby of Helene Kröller-Müller and her love for art. Stick around to find out more about these incredible places.
Hike or rent a bike to explore the wonders of Hoge Veluwe National Park
A true paradise for hikers and cyclists, this national park offers a great variety of sights and peaceful spots to relax. It’s a great place to bring your children and to have some fun under the sun, exploring the wildlife and the jaw-dropping landscape. Even though it may look modest and straightforward, you should know that this park forms one of the largest continuous nature reserves in the Netherlands, a real natural treasure. The area mainly consists of heathlands, dunes and woodlands, which makes it a great place for different types of outdoor activities.
One of the most interesting things you can do here and the incredible way of exploring the surroundings is to hop on a bike and cycle through the scenic path. But wait for a second – you’re only visiting so you don’t have a bike? Well, there’s no problem since the Hoge Veluwe National Park has a great bicycle sharing system. This means that you can rent a bike to go around the area and you don’t even have to pay for it – the bicycles are free of charge for visitors. So get active and cycle all the way through the woods and the dunes.
Worship the art of Kröller-Müller Museum and the architecture of St. Hubertus Hunting Lodge
Whoever walked around here knows that there are several amusing buildings worth your attention and your time. One such is the already mentioned St. Hubertus Hunting Lodge, proud to be a great piece of architecture and an incredible sight of this park. It was established by the wealthy couple, and it still amazes its spectators with its beauty and grace.
For those passionate about a beautiful piece of art, make sure to visit the famous Kröller-Müller Museum – a gorgeous building located in the woods with an even surprisingly more beautiful content inside the museum. If you don’ t know what we’re talking about, then you should enter the museum as you will find a big collection of important works by great artists such as Pablo Picasso, Auguste Rodin, Vincent van Gogh, Piet Mondrian, Odilon Redon, Georges-Pierre Seurat and many others. Interesting is how this place has the second-largest collection of paintings by Vincent van Gogh, normally right after the Van Gogh Museum.
Finally, if you’re interested in learning more about biology and geology of the Veluwe, then there’s also a place for you. Visit the Museonder which is non-officially the world’s first fully underground museum and fall in love with its sophisticated interior.
Catch a break from the nearby coffee places and restaurants
All these activities can get you tired, even though you might not notice while you’re distracted with all that fun. But everybody needs a little break even if you’re fully enjoying doing something interesting. Now since you’re in a national park, you would probably assume that you have to pack a snack, but this is not necessary since there are several places where you can rest for a while and enjoy a coffee or some delicious food.
Other than that, get informed about the events that are organized every month in the area of the Hoge Veluwe national park like Wood Day, Horse Day, the National Stag Bellowing Championship, plenty of musical performances and markets. These events will make you experience the park from a different perspective, but will still provide you with a great pleasure of visiting.
There are plenty of outdoor activities you can do here, just remember that this national park requires for visitors to pay a daily pass. However, you can book tours or organize group visits for an even better exploration of the area. Make sure to buy your tickets (https://www.hogeveluwe.nl/en/tickets) and prepare for a day full of chill and fun!
