Visit the stunning De Hoge Veluwe National Park

De Hoge Veluwe is one of the Netherlands' best-known National Parks, a destination that combines art, architecture and the great outdoors in a uniquely Dutch way – with cycling also very much involved! 

What is special about De Hoge Veluwe National Park?

In the heart of the Netherlands, the remarkable landscape of De Hoge Veluwe National Park combines dense woodland, open heathland, shifting sand dunes and wildlife-rich countryside. One moment you're cycling beneath tall pine trees; the next, the forest opens onto a vast purple heath or sandy landscape that feels surprisingly wild for somewhere so close to Dutch cities like Arnhem and Nijmegen.

De Hoge Veluwe is made for exploring, with its famous network of white bicycles, walking trails and quiet roads leading deep into the park.

The park had always been conceived by its creators, Anton and Helene Kröller-Müller, as a place where nature and art could be appreciated. So you will also find one of Europe's most celebrated collections of van Gogh’s work and largest sculpture gardens here, as well as an iconic example of 20th-century Dutch architecture.

Where is De Hoge Veluwe National Park?

De Hoge Veluwe is in the eastern Dutch province of Gelderland, around 4 hours drive from the LeShuttle terminal in Calais. The closest city is Arnhem, just 20 minutes drive from the National Park. 

Things to do in De Hoge Veluwe National Park

The white bicycles are a familiar sight in the Park

Cycle through the park on the famous white bikes

Few things are more closely associated with De Hoge Veluwe than its white bicycles.

The bikes are available at various locations within the park and are free to use for visitors. They offer an easy and enjoyable way to cover more ground than you could on foot, while still allowing you to experience the landscape at a wonderfully relaxed pace.

There are designated cycling routes throughout the park. You can stop whenever you see something that catches your eye, park up for a walk or simply find a quiet spot to enjoy the scenery. Cycling gives you the freedom to explore without having to plan every minute of your visit. 

Walk through woodland, heathlands and meadows

The landscape of De Hoge Veluwe changes dramatically as you pass through it. Shaded forest gives way to heathland, open grassland and drifting sand, creating a patchwork of habitats. The scenery changes with the seasons too, from fresh green woodland in spring to flowering heathland later in the year and golden, russet landscapes in autumn.

Walking is one of the best ways to appreciate the smaller details of the park. Look for wildflowers, listen for birds in the trees and keep an eye on the changing textures of the landscape. Combine cycling and short walking routes to experience several different sides of the park in one visit.

Spot wildlife and birds in their natural habitat

Keep your eyes peeled for the red deer

De Hoge Veluwe is home to a wide variety of wildlife, making it an appealing destination for anyone who enjoys watching animals in their natural surroundings.

Keep an eye out as you travel through the park for red deer, roe deer and wild boar. The exotic mouflon wild sheep also have a presence in the Park, but their numbers have declined severely in recent years due to wolves. Birdwatchers will also find plenty to interest them, including nightjars. Early morning and late afternoon can be particularly rewarding times for wildlife spotting, when the park tends to feel quieter and animals are more likely to be active.

Visit the Kröller-Müller Museum and discover its art collection

Anton and Helene Kröller-Müller were the Dutch couple in the early 20th century who set about creating the Park. Nature and culture were always to be at the heart of the estate, and Helene dreamed of a museum to house their huge and significant art collection. The Kröller-Müller Museum sits within the national park, and is home to one of the world's largest Vincent van Gogh collections. The museum also displays works by Monet, Picasso and Mondriaan. Visitors can tour a sculpture garden featuring 160 sculptures, including originals by Auguste Rodin and Henry Moore.

Explore the Jachthuis Sint Hubertus lodge

A country house quite unlike any other – Jachthuis Sint Hubertus

The park's architectural highlight is Jachthuis Sint Hubertus, a modern country house designed for the Kröller-Müllers by architect Hendrik Petrus Berlage.

Built as a hunting lodge, the building is a landmark in early 20th-century Dutch architecture. It has a distinctive appearance and sits beside a peaceful pond surrounded by woodland. The geometric design and striking tower makes it quite different from traditional Dutch architecture.

Guided tours are available by appointment, allowing visitors to discover more about the building. If you're exploring the National Park by bike, it's a pleasant place to stop and take a break from the trails.

Refuel at cafés and restaurants in the park

Whether you’re walking, cycling, wildlife or art spotting, the Park has several places to stop for refreshments:

• Restaurant De Hoge Veluwe – the restaurant sits at the heart of the Park, serving lunches and evening meals, drinks and lighter bites. The menu includes game from the Park, vegetables from the kitchen garden and other locally sourced ingredients 
• Theekoepel – a dome-shaped café near the Jachthuis Sint Hubertus lodge, also designed by the same architect. 
• Theehuis De Kemperberg – a former coach house converted into a café serving teas, coffees and light snacks. You’ll find it near the Schaarsbergen entrance

Plan your visit to De Hoge Veluwe National Park

Stay all day for a dramatic sunset

How to get to De Hoge Veluwe by car from the UK

If you’re planning a road trip to this part of the Netherlands, from Calais you’ll travel on the A16 toward Dunkirk, then the E40, E17 and E34 motorways through Belgium. Follow the A67 and A50 motorways towards Nijmegen and Arnhem. From Arnhem it’s just a short 20 minute drive on the tree-lined Kemperbergerweg to the Schaarsbergen entrance. 

Choose the best entrance to De Hoge Veluwe National Park

There are three different entrances to the park – Hoenderloo, Otterlo and Schaarsbergen – with car parking areas at each. There is also a main car park towards the centre of the National Park at the Park Pavilion. 

How much time do you need in De Hoge Veluwe?

If you’re using Arnhem as a place to stay, De Hoge Veluwe makes for a perfect day trip. You can easily spend all day here. 

Do you have to pay to visit De Hoge Veluwe National Park?

Yes, there is an entrance charge, because De Hoge Veluwe National Park is privately owned. 

Tickets for adults cost €13.85 each, €6.95 for children aged 6-13 (children under 6 are free), and car parking costs €9.80 per vehicle. 

When is the best time to visit?

September and October are probably the best months to visit De Hoge Veluwe National Park, because the purple heather is blooming, and the autumn turns the leaves brilliant shades of gold, orange and red. This is also the period when the deer are rutting, so the park echoes to their calls in the early hours and at dusk. The weather is still warm enough for cycling and walking. 

Explore more of the Veluwe region

The harbour of Harderwijk 

The National Park is just one part of the Veluwe, a wider area of hills, forests, heathland and wetland. A network of footpaths called klompenpad (literally ‘clog paths’) criss-cross this landscape, offering circular walks or longer hikes. 

Cycling is another wonderful way to explore this historic region, with 5,000 km of cycle paths, alongside canals, nature reserves and through towns and villages. Visit the Hanseatic League city of Harderwijk, with its well preserved medieval architecture and thriving marina. 

There are a number of other attractions in the Veluwe, including the Open Air Museum near Arnhem, telling the story of how Dutch people have lived and worked since Roman times, the Burgers’ Zoo and the Julianatoren theme park. 

Experience De Hoge Veluwe National Park for yourself with LeShuttle

Book your LeShuttle crossing to Calais from Folkestone in just 35 minutes, and look forward to exploring a natural treasure of the Netherlands.