A rolling savannah with yellow grass, the occasional pine tree and in the distance a pack of deer, that is the soul of the northwest of Arnhem between Apeldoorn and Ede located Hoge Veluwe. Otherwise there is everything that makes the Veluwe so exciting: dark forests, reflective moors and picturesque groups of trees. But it is precisely this vast, African-looking landscape that makes this national park so impressive. It is also the park par excellence where you can encounter big game that complete the safari feeling: red deer, roe deer and mouflons. In the woods that alternate with the savannah, wild boars can be seen in the eye. All of this is framed by the culture and art of Kröller-Müller Museum with its sculpture garden, from Museonder and the St. Hubertus hunting lodge.
Sand desert
Sandy deserts are rare in this part of Europe. There was a time, in the dry spells between the penultimate and the last Ice Age, that parts of the Netherlands were very far from a sandy desert. The sand was blowing and mountain ranges such as the Utrechtse and Sallandse Heuvelrug, but also the Veluwe, were covered with sand. Later, in times with more precipitation, grasses and even later trees settled here, which then again covered the sandy soil with thick layers of humus. Where trees and layers of humus disappeared through logging and overexploitation, the original sandy deserts reappeared. In earlier centuries everything was done to conquer the waving sand. And with success: The cultivation with fertilizer and the planting of pine and spruce put an end to the blowing sand. Nowadays the administrators of the nature reserves - and also those of the Hoge Veluwe - try to maintain the last remnants of this rare landscape form and, if possible, to bring them back. Sand drifts are not only a photogenic and exciting sight, but also a biotope for particularly interesting animals, including a species that is on the red list. Sand lizards, tiger beetles, digger wasps and ant lions live there.
Wildlife
Red deer: The imposing red deer is the trademark of the national park. Around 200 red deer live in the park. Only the males have the characteristic antlers. Outside the rutting season (mating season) the antlers (males) and the deer (hinds and calves) live in separate packs. In September, during the rut, the older deer try to flock a pack of hinds. Competitors are then chased away with deep roaring (rutting screams). When it is already dawn in the park and the deer are roaring, that is very impressive.
Mouflons: Mouflons are magnificent wild sheep that can be easily recognized by their horns twisted into a snail. They are not native animals, they come from Sardinia and Corsica. In 1921 they were introduced on the Hoge Veluwe. Around 150 animals now live in the park. The mouflons replace the sheep that used to graze the heather. Mouflons live in large herds. In October, their mating season, the rams fight for the sheep by banging their horns against each other.
Wild boar: About 50 wild boars roam the Hoge Veluwe. Wild boars are likely the first parents of tame pigs as we all know them. The wild boars live in packs. A pack consists of one or more sows with freshlings and some defectors / annuals). The older males, the boars, live alone. Wild boars roam the entire park in search of food.
Deer: Around 200 deer live on the Hoge Veluwe. Deer are much smaller than deer and not much larger than a large dog. Only the male deer, the bucks, get antlers that are shed in winter.
Foxes: The second largest predator on the Hoge Veluwe is the fox. Foxes live in a territory, or rather, in an area of activity. How big this area is depends on the food supply. As a result, for example, there are far fewer foxes in the food-poor central part of the Hoge Veluwe. Mice are mainly on the fox's menu. But rabbits, birds, eggs, insects and fruits are also eaten with pleasure. Since the fox only becomes active at dusk, you will not come across it so quickly in the park. They can only be seen hunting during the day if they have to look after their young.
Badgers: Along with the fox, the badger is one of the park's most important predators. In terms of appearance and behavior, it resembles a little bear. However, it is the largest representative of the marten family, which also includes the pine marten, ermine and weasel. The black and white markings on the head are typical. The badger is a real family animal. In areas with sufficient food, they live together in large families, often with 20 specimens. However, the food supply on the Hoge Veluwe is quite meager, so that they live in smaller families. Various castles are dug within the roof territory, one of which is used as the main castle.
Black grouse: Until 1980 the black grouse belonged to the fauna of the national park De Hoge Veluwe. In the winter of 1979/1980 the last specimen fell victim to the decline in the quality of the heather, especially the increase in grass because the nitrogen content in the air increased, and the heavy use of herbicides and insecticides in agriculture. Only on the ’’ Sallandse Heuvelrug ’’ (ridge in Overijssel) has a small population survived to this day. In the spring of 2003, De Hoge Veluwe National Park saw the time had come to reintroduce black grouse on the Veluwe. The grass in the heather and the air pollution had been pushed back and agriculture in the vicinity of the park had switched to a much more environmentally friendly use. As part of a rearing program, it took until September 2008 for the first 30 birds to be released into the park.
Ravens: A little over thirty years ago the raven was extinct in the Netherlands. The last nest was observed in 1928 near Nijkerk in the north of the Veluwe. It was not until 1969 that ravens were brought back to the Veluwe. There the birds found enough carcasses of large animals for their food and the spruce forests were extensive enough that the ravens could build their nests undisturbed.
Park facilities
De Hoge Veluwe visitor center
- 1 Hoge Veluwe, Hoenderloo, Apeldoornseweg 250. Tel.: 31 (0)900 4643635. Information about hiking, cycling, nature and culture in the park.Open: 9.30 a.m. - 5 p.m. April - October until 6 p.m.Price: free entry.
Museum Kröller-Müller
- Kröller-Müller Museum, Houtkampweg 6. Tel.: 31 (0)318 591241. The Kröller-Müller Museum is a museum for modern art. It is named after Helene Kröller-Müller, who brought together a large part of the collection. The museum building was designed by the architect Henry Van de Velde. It was opened in 1938 and expanded with a sculpture garden in 1961. The museum's collection is built around an extensive collection of works by Vincent van Gogh, one of the most impressive overviews of his oeuvre. George Seurat, Pablo Picasso, Fernand Léger, Piet Mondriaan and many other artists are also represented with important paintings. A unique collection of sculptures is shown in the sculpture garden. An overview of the developments in sculpture from the 19th century to the present day can be seen in the garden.Open: All year round, Tue - Sun, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., the sculpture garden closes at 4.30 p.m.Price: Children (-6): free; Children (6-12): park € 3.50 and museum € 3.50; Adults: Park € 7.00 and Museum € 7.00. Car parking card: € 6.00.
Museonder
The Museonder is the first museum in the world located under the forest floor. The root system of a 135 year old tree tells its story and the bones of animals that have been extinct for thousands of years can be seen. The Museonder is located in the visitor center.
St. Hubertus hunting lodge
The Jachthuis Sint-Hubertus stands in the north of the park between Otterlo and Hoenderloo. It was designed as a residential building by the architect Hendrik Petrus Berlage in 1914 on behalf of the married couple Helene and Anton Kröller-Müller (Berlage was an important representative of Dutch realism).
The construction lasted from 1915 to 1920. Berlage was completely free in his design. He was therefore able to fully implement his design ideals. The entire building is made of brick, often glazed, and slate. Berlage not only designed the building, but also its interior. Everything in the interior is coordinated: tiles, lamps, furniture, everything is related to one another.
The area is a popular hiking area. Today the hunting lodge partially serves as quarters for state guests.
Entrance Hoenderloo, Apeldoornseweg 250. Tel: 0900-4643635. Hoge Veluwe. Opening times: daily, all year round. Closed on 6.3., 20.3. (from 3 p.m.) 1.5., 2.5., 15.5., 2.6., 5.6., 6.6., 9.10. 2009.
The hunting lodge can only be visited in connection with guided tours. A ticket for the guided tours can be purchased at the visitor center. Adults € 3, children (6-12) € 1.50, children (-6) free.
Organizational matters
opening hours
The park is open every day:
- November-March: 9 am-6pm
- April, September: 8 am-8pm
- May, August: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- June, July: 8 am-10pm
- August: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- September: 9 am-8pm
- October: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
- May 21 (Ascension): 6 a.m. - 9 p.m.
- (no access for cars until 8 a.m.)
- The park can be entered up to 1 hour before closing time.
Entrance fees
Day pass for the National Park De Hoge Veluwe:
Children (-5) free; Children (6-12) € 3.75; Adults € 7.50; Car / motorcycle € 6; Bus € 27.50; Horse € 3.00. Bringing your own bike is free. Status: 12-2010
Evening rate: From April until the end of summer after 6 p.m. 50% discount.
Arrival and mobility
By public transport: The park is from the train stations Apeldoornor to reach Ede-Wageningen. From Apeldoorn train station, bus line 108 goes to Hoenderloo. Change there to line 106 in the direction of Otterlo. The bus stops inside the park. From the Ede-Wageningen train station, bus line 108 leads to Otterlo. Change there to line 106 in the direction of Hoenderloo. The bus stops in the central area of the park. More information under reiswijzer.
By car: From the A1, A12 and A50 motorways, signs reading "Park Hoge Veluwe" point to the park entrance.
With the car in the park? It is possible to drive in the park. In that case a surcharge of € 6 must be paid for the car. There are parking spaces within the park at the Jagdhaus St. Huberstus, the Kröller-Müller Museum and in the center area.
Warning: the recommended speed is 40 km / h. You should always remember that you are driving through a nature reserve.
Or park at the entrance?Of course, the car can also be parked outside the park at the entrances Hoenderloo, Otterlo or Schaarsbergen. The costs then amount to € 2.50. This amount can then be chipped at the barrier when driving out or paid appropriately. "White bicycles" are then available at all entrances.
White bikes
The "White Bicycle (Witte Fiets) is an integral part of the National Park De Hoge Veluwe. As a visitor, you can move freely through the park on these bicycles. There are no additional costs for this. And there are also children's bikes and child seats for the younger visitors.
The park has a total of 1700 white bicycles, distributed over the bicycle sheds on the Marchantplein, at the Kröller-Müller Museum, the St. Hubertus hunting lodge and at the various entrances (Hoenderloo, Otterlo en Schaarsbergen). As soon as you get into the park, you can get on a "white bike"!
Of course, you can also explore the National Park De Hoge Veluwe with your own bike (at no additional cost).
overnight stay
In the park there is a very nice campsite for real nature lovers. The entrance Hoenderloo is very close. The campsite consists of a car-free tent field and three spaces for caravans and mobile homes. Reservation is not possible. Outside of the busy weekends like Easter or Whitsun there is always enough space.
Costs per overnight stay, including tourist tax, without admission to the park (2009):
Children (-6) free; Children (6-12) € 2.50; Adults € 5. There is an electrical connection at all caravan sites, the use of which costs € 2 per day. A shower coin costs € 0.50.
facts and figures
surface5000 hectares of forest, heather, sand drifts and moors; this is the fenced off area. In addition, the park owns 400 hectares in the vicinity.
Game populationThe large game population (larger mammals) consists of:
- 200 red deer (stags)
- 300 roe deer (roe deer)
- 50 wild boar
- 200 mouflons (Corsican sheep)
This is the so-called spring stand. Later in the year the total is about 35 percent higher because young animals are added
Other numbers
- 527,394 visitors (2007)
- 1,700 white bikes
- 5 types of bats
- 5,000 hectares of nature (inside the enclosure) 400 hectares outside the enclosure
- 3200 hectares of forest
- 2100 hectares of heather
- 60 hectares of sand drifts
- 43 km of bike paths
- 4 bicycle mechanics
- 7 wildlife observation posts
- 5 wheelchair bikes
- 350 active helpers
- 60 permanent employees and 25 temporary workers (2007)
- 3 entrances
- 5,000,000 euros in sales (2007)
- 50 white sleds
- 2 service dogs
- 30,000 visitors annually to the Sint Hubertus hunting lodge
literature
Web links
- Hoge Veluwe - Site of the park, also information in German
