Cycling in the Veluwe

The Veluwe is located in the eastern Netherlands in the province of Gelderland. The name literally means 'heath or moorland' and refers to the characteristic landscape of this extraordinary area. The Veluwe is known for its diverse heathlands, forests, sand drifts, and moors—a relatively unusual combination for the flat Netherlands. Moreover, the Veluwe is the largest contiguous forest area in the Netherlands. The region spans about 2,300 square kilometers and lies between the Rhine to the east and the Ijssel to the west. Unsurprisingly, the Veluwe is an important recreational area for both the Dutch and tourists—who are quite rare here at the moment.

So today we are getting on our bikes and heading from Oterloo to Lunteren, to later return to the starting point through Ede and the Ginkelse Heath. To clarify: Practically the entire route, about 40 km, is on separate, car-free bike paths, which are called 'Fietspfaden' in Dutch. Unique, yet not entirely unfamiliar to us, is the system of numbered 'Knooppunten', which clearly mark the individual routes. What makes this tour particularly special is that the first half leads partly through forests or agricultural areas, while the second half goes through the moorlands typical of the Veluwe. At this time, countless heather plants are blooming—truly beautiful!