From the massive Radio Kootwijk transmitter station to the world-famous art treasures of the Kröller-Müller Museum: the Veluwe boasts countless iconic attractions, but there is only one nature park that combines this rugged wilderness and high culture so seamlessly.
About an hour’s drive from Amsterdam lies De Hoge Veluwe National Park, an impressive 5,400-hectare nature reserve that is both the most visited and the only paid national park in the Netherlands.
But the real surprise lies behind the gates. On a free “White Bike,” you’ll come face to face with red deer, while iconic Berlage architecture and museums are hidden among drifting sand, purple heather, and dense forests.
From private hunting grounds to our most famous nature park
At the beginning of the twentieth century, the wealthy Kröller-Müller couple purchased thousands of hectares of rugged Veluwe wilderness. Their dream was to establish a private estate where unspoiled wilderness and international art would blend seamlessly.
When the economic crisis struck in the 1930s , the site was transferred to an independent foundation. As a result, the park remains to this day the only national park in the Netherlands that operates without government subsidies and is entirely self-sufficient.
Drifting sand, purple heather, and wildlife
The 5,400-hectare site forms a rare ecological mosaic. Within minutes, you can walk from relentless golden-yellow sand drifts to purple heathlands and fairytale-like, centuries-old forests.
In this vast wilderness, red deer, wild boars, and Corsican mouflons live virtually undisturbed. From the special wildlife observation posts, you can spot these iconic inhabitants in peace, especially around dusk.
Art, hidden monuments, and free bikes
Hidden amidst the greenery are extraordinary cultural treasures, such as the monumental Sint-Hubertus Hunting Lodge by architect H.P. Berlage. The park is also home to the world-famous Kröller-Müller Museum and the Museonder, the world’s first underground museum.
To explore all these sights, some 1,800 free “White Bikes” are available at the entrances. You can hop on without a reservation and effortlessly cover dozens of kilometers of quiet bike paths through the park.
