Veluwe Tour

The day begins in a forest village and ends in a tiny settlement beside wide sand plains. Between those two, the path links stately avenues, playful singletrack and heathland views. You feel the landscape slowly open as trees give way to more sky. By the time you reach the sand and church of the next village, it is clear you have crossed the central spine of the Veluwe.

From the surroundings of the Heldring church you follow the walking junctions toward Boslaan, a broad green corridor. A long beech avenue carries you deeper into the woods before the trail dives into flowing singletrack in Boswachterij Hoenderloo. Short climbs lead to viewpoints like the Willem Wensink bench and the lookout over hidden heath meadows. The distinctive water tower appears as a landmark before you step onto the open sands of Kootwijkerzand.

After the sand, forest paths and small roads guide you gently toward the cluster of houses ahead. The reformed church in the centre serves as an easy beacon, close to your accommodation and one or two simple eateries. Once the visitors leave, the village becomes pleasantly quiet. It is a good place to enjoy an unhurried evening and drift toward sleep with the day still in your head.

This section feels calm and easy-going, with gentle rises and plenty of open views. You leave a small village and wander through woodland, fields and farms toward a livelier place. An early viewpoint and an unusual vineyard rest stop add flavour to the day. Most of the time your legs can simply turn over on autopilot while the landscape slowly shifts around you.

From the church you walk out of the village and soon climb to the Zandheuvel viewpoint, looking back over forest and farmland. Paths lead through Boswachterij Kootwijk and on to quiet country roads into Harskamp. Just outside the village a self-service vineyard rest stop offers coffee or juice straight from the fridge. Broad tracks between fields and farms then guide you steadily in the direction of the next village.

As houses appear more frequently and traffic gently picks up, you slip into a busier centre. A few turns through residential streets bring you close to De Waldhoorn and other cafés. Your accommodation is never far, whether on the main street or in a quieter corner. The mix of tourist buzz and village cosiness makes it a relaxed place to spend the evening.

The final walking stretch links two Veluwe villages via quiet forest and a symbolic point in the country’s middle. You soon leave restaurants and campsites behind and walk beneath tall trees again. The route climbs toward the Goudsberg plateau, where stones and signs mark the geographic centre. Afterwards, gentle descents and broad paths lead toward a friendly town whose classic inn feels like a natural finishing line.

From the centre you slip past the church into the woods and reach a simple bench, perfect for a short pause. The path climbs gradually toward the Goudsberg, around fifty metres high, where information panels and boulders indicate both geographic centre and midpoint of the country. Short loops and viewpoints invite a bit of extra wandering. Leaving the hill, you follow broad forest tracks and green corridors as houses draw ever closer.

Within the town a few quiet streets bring you to a traditional brown café that also serves as a hotel. Inside, wooden tables, warm lighting and hearty food make it easy to stay seated a little longer. Your room is just a staircase away, so boots and backpack can finally rest. As the streets outside grow quieter, this overnight stop closes the journey in a comfortable way.

The final day is all about heading home at an easy pace. Walking is done, so the only plan is to eat, pack and travel. Breakfast feels a little different now, with memories of forest, sand and heath quietly replaying. There is no real rush, just that soft slide from trail rhythm back toward everyday life. It is a gentle landing instead of a hard stop.

After breakfast you pack your bag one last time, check the room and hand in the key. Maybe you grab a coffee or some snacks in town, then wander the short way to station, bus stop or car. The streets feel strangely short after the long days outside. Traffic and voices slowly replace wind in the trees and birds along the path.

On the journey home the scenery outside the window changes faster than your thoughts can follow. In the background you are still walking the route once more, step by step. You scroll through photos, send a message to share the stories and enjoy that pleasantly tired feeling. By the time you reach your front door, the Veluwe has become a memory you happily carry along.