Veluwezoom National Park Park

Address: Veluwezoom National Park, near Rheden, Gelderland, Netherlands

Website: https://www.nationaalparkveluwezoom.nl

Hours: Open year-round (outdoor parkland)

Admission: Free to enter (national park); parking or visitor-centre fees may apply

Veluwezoom National Park is a protected landscape in the Dutch province of Gelderland, known for its heathlands, woodlands and rolling sandhills. It is one of the Netherlands’ older national parks and preserves a mosaic of open heath, pine forest and patches of deciduous woodland.

The park’s notable features include extensive heath that blooms in late summer, a network of marked walking and cycling trails and viewpoints on the higher sand ridges. The Posbank viewpoint is the park’s best-known lookout, offering sweeping views across heather and forested slopes and serving as a focal point for visitors.

Historically the area has been shaped by centuries of grazing and forestry, creating the open heathland that is now managed for conservation and recreation. The park sits on the eastern edge of the Veluwe region and is reachable by road from Arnhem and other nearby towns.

• Heather bloom: Peak heather bloom typically occurs in August and September, when large areas turn purple and attract walkers and photographers.
• Trails and conditions: Trails are well signed and the park is popular for hiking and mountain biking; parts of the landscape can be exposed and windy, so bring layers.

What to See#

• Posbank: High heathland viewpoint at about 110 metres elevation offering panoramic views over rolling heath and forest; very popular for heather bloom in late summer.

Veluwezoom National Park is easiest reached from Arnhem. By public transport, take a train to Arnhem Centraal and then a local bus or regional service toward Velp or Rheden - from those towns it’s typically a 10-30 minute walk or a short bike ride to main trailheads such as the Posbank area. By car it’s about 15 km (roughly 20 minutes) east of Arnhem; follow signs for Veluwezoom/Posbank and park at designated car parks before starting on foot.

• Visit in late August-early September or early morning/late afternoon outside summer weekends to see the heather on the Posbank ridge at its best light and avoid peak-day hikers.
• Use the lesser-known trailheads/parking areas on the park's eastern side (near Rheden) rather than the main Posbank car park to start quieter routes across heath and forest.
• Don't just stick to the Posbank viewpoint: follow the smaller loop trails toward Beekhuizerskade and the rolling sand drifts to find panoramic views and quieter wildlife-spotting opportunities.