South Veluwe route by car
A loop through the woods, heath and drifting sands of the South Veluwe, past the Hoge Veluwe with the Kröller-Müller Museum and the purple heath of the Posbank. For convertible, touring car, motorbike and camper.
Google Maps starts from your own location. For Garmin, Komoot or TomTom: download the GPX.
Photos via Wikimedia Commons: the Posbank by Apdency (public domain), Kasteel Rosendael by Davidh820 (CC BY-SA 4.0).
The largest forest in the Netherlands
The Veluwe is the largest continuous nature area in the Netherlands: a world of pine woods, purple heath, drifting sands and wildlife you might meet at dusk. This South Veluwe route strings together the highlights of the southern part, from the world-famous Hoge Veluwe to the hills and heath of the Veluwezoom near Arnhem. By car over the wooded roads it is one of the finest nature drives in the country. About 84 kilometres in all, a full day with a museum and a forest walk.
You start in Ede and drive a loop past Otterlo and Hoenderloo, the gates of De Hoge Veluwe national park with the Kröller-Müller Museum and the Sint-Hubertus hunting lodge, on over the Veluwezoom to the famous Posbank near Rheden, and back via Rozendaal and Schaarsbergen. Along the way dense woods, open heath and drifting sand alternate; in August the heath turns purple.
The route on the map
A schematic overview by Touren.app, not a navigation map. The exact route opens under “Drive this route” or in Google Maps. Map orientation: north is up.
Soon: your time and starting point
The places along the route
1. Ede
Ede lies on the western edge of the Veluwe, where the town gives way to woods and heath. The Ginkelse Heide and the drifting sands lie nearby; from here you are soon in the nature, heading for the Hoge Veluwe. A good place to start with a full tank for the forest drive.
Practical: park in the centre or by the heath on the edge; get coffee before you set off.
2. Otterlo
Otterlo is one of the entrances to De Hoge Veluwe national park, with the world-famous Kröller-Müller Museum in the park: one of the largest Van Gogh collections in the world and a sculpture garden among the woods. At the entrance you can take a white bike into the park. Parking and going into the park is almost a must here.
Practical: park at the Otterlo entrance (park entry charged); allow half a day if you visit the Kröller-Müller.
3. Hoenderloo
Hoenderloo is the eastern gate of the Hoge Veluwe, near the Sint-Hubertus hunting lodge, the art-nouveau lodge of the Kröller-Müller family in the middle of the park. Around it lie the dense woods and the open sand plains where, with a little luck, you see red deer and wild boar.
Practical: park at the Hoenderloo entrance; the visitor centre and the park lie behind it.
4. Loenen
Loenen lies on the east side of the Veluwe, known for the Loenen waterfall and the spring brooks that flow down from the moraine. Here the hilly part of the route begins, the Veluwezoom, with woods that descend to the IJssel. A quiet, green interlude.
Practical: park in the village; a short walk to the waterfall and the brooks.
5. Rheden
The Posbank near Rheden is the best-known part of the Veluwezoom: a hill with purple heath and a wide view over the rolling land, on fine days full of walkers and cyclists. In August, when the heath blooms, this is one of the loveliest spots in the Netherlands. Cars park on the edge; the hill itself you explore on foot or by bike.
Practical: park at the Veluwezoom visitor centre; the Posbank and the views are within walking or cycling distance.
6. Rozendaal
Rozendaal is a small, green village with Rosendael castle, known for its eighteenth-century gardens with a shell gallery and surprising water features. It lies against the hills of the Veluwezoom, an elegant counterpart to the rugged nature around it.
Practical: park at Rosendael castle; the castle and gardens can be visited.
7. Schaarsbergen
Schaarsbergen lies on the northern edge of Arnhem, between the woods and the city, near the Netherlands Open Air Museum. From here you close the loop back to Ede, with the woods of the Veluwe on both sides one last time. A green close to the drive.
Practical: park at the Open Air Museum if you visit it; otherwise a quiet forest road back towards Ede.
Practical: for convertible, motorbike and camper
From which town: the route starts in Ede, but you need not start there. Enter your own address or holiday address in the planner, choose your time, and Touren.app rebuilds the same loop from Arnhem, Apeldoorn, Otterlo or wherever you are staying.
For which vehicle: the wooded roads of the Veluwe are ideal as a scenic drive, with the scent of the pines and the play of light between the trees. The Veluwe is also true camper country, with plenty of room to stop.
The Hoge Veluwe: driving through De Hoge Veluwe national park itself requires park entry; our route runs over the public roads along the edge, with the Otterlo and Hoenderloo gates as access. To go into the Kröller-Müller Museum or the park, buy a ticket at the entrance and take a white bike inside.
Mind the wildlife: on the Veluwe, deer and wild boar regularly cross at dusk and at night. Drive gently on the forest roads, watch for the wildlife warning signs and dip your lights for oncoming traffic.
Best season: lovely all year, with the purple heath bloom mid-August to early September and the autumn colours as highlights. In spring the woods are fresh and young; on fine summer days the Posbank and the Hoge Veluwe are busiest.
Reviews from drivers
Reviews appear here with vehicle, experience and month of the drive. A score cannot be bought here, and this stays empty until someone has really driven it.
Share this route or save it
Share this drive with whoever should ride it
Or mail it to yourself, for the road
Mail this route to yourselfFrequently asked questions
How long is the South Veluwe route by car?
About 84 kilometres, with some 1 hour and 35 minutes of pure driving, measured via Google Maps with motorways avoided. With the Kröller-Müller Museum and a walk over the Posbank it is a full day.
Can I drive through De Hoge Veluwe national park?
The park has its own entrance and internal roads. Our route runs over the public roads along the edge, with the Otterlo and Hoenderloo gates. To enter the park and the Kröller-Müller, buy a ticket at the entrance.
When does the heath on the Posbank bloom?
Roughly from mid-August to early September the heath turns purple. That is one of the loveliest periods, but also the busiest; come early or outside the weekend for the calm.
Is the route suitable for convertible, motorbike and camper?
Yes. The wooded roads are wonderful for convertible and motorbike, and the Veluwe is true camper country. Do mind crossing wildlife at dusk and the warning signs.
Are the exports really free?
Yes, free with a Touren.app credit on them. You never pay us for exports; those who want to drive ad-free and offline choose Plus.
Keep exploring
Fancy this drive, but from your own front door?
Touren.app rebuilds the same South Veluwe route from any starting point, within the time you have. Choose your vehicle, slide your time, and drive.
Generate your version of this route