Hoge Veluwe National Park

De Hoge Veluwe National Parkis a Dutch national park in the province of Gelderland near the cities of Ede, Wageningen, Arnhem and Apeldoorn. It is approximately 55 km2(14,000 acres; 21 sq mi) in area, consisting of heathlands, sand dunes, and woodlands. It is situated in the Veluwe, the area of the largest terminal moraine in the Netherlands. Most of the landscape of the park and the Veluwe was created during the last Ice Age. The alternating sand dune areas and heathlands may have been caused by human utilization of the surrounding lands. The park forms one of the largest continuous nature reserves in the Netherlands.

History

The park was established by the businessman Anton Kröller and his wife Helene Kröller-Müller as a private estate in 1909. Up until 1923 the park was under construction with wildlife being imported and the building of the hunting lodge and fences. The hunting residence is called St. Hubertus Hunting Lodge after St. Hubertus and was designed by prominent Dutch architect Hendrik Petrus Berlage. Helene Kröller-Müller was an art collector and work had begun on a museum inside the park.

Ownership

Due to worsening economic conditions the building of the museum was halted and the couple found themselves unable to keep the estate. In 1935 the art collection was donated to the State of the Netherlands, which then continued to build the Kröller-Müller Museum. The park was handed over to a foundation, which received a loan from the State. At that time the estate became the second national park in the Netherlands. The park is still one of the two private owned national parks in the Netherlands, but the only one that asks an entrance fee.

By Public Transport

You can reach the park by going to Apeldoorn and Ede-Wageningen train stations.

From Apeldoorn you can catch bus number 108 to Hoenderloo. At this station you can switch to bus number 106. This bus stops close to the visitor center on the way to Otterlo.

The same plan goes for the Ede-Wageningen train station. Most route planners will be able to find the national park on the map.

By Car

Most route planners will know the way to the national park. Once you get closer you can look for Park Hoge Veluwe signs. These signs will take you to the park entrance. You can bring your car into the park for a surcharge.

You can also park your car outside the park. There are bicycles for hire if you don't bring your car.

The Netherlands are a northern country and the winters can get quite cold. You can visit all year and a winter visit is also recommended. It is most busy in the summertime.