From the Hoge Veluwe to the vast Speulderbos: the Netherlands boasts many iconic nature reserves, each with its own charm. Yet this particular landscape stands out in the fall thanks to its combination of impressive topography and centuries-old history.
A 75-minute drive from Amsterdam takes you to Veluwezoom National Park, a contiguous wilderness bordering the Deelerwoud and the Terletse Heide.
In addition to the fairy-tale-like fall colors on the hills, this 5,000-hectare park is home to the Onzalige Bossen “Robbers’ Forest,” the ruins of Herikhuizen, and romantic estates with babbling springs.
The oldest national park in the Netherlands
In 1930, this nature reserve made history as the very first national park in the Netherlands. Natuurmonumenten began protecting the Hagenau forest area here as early as 1911, after which the park grew into a protected wilderness spanning over 5,000 hectares.
Deeper within the park lie the iconic Onzalige Bossen, one of the oldest forests in the Veluwe. The nutrient-poor soil took on a mysterious aura thanks to folk tales about a medieval band of robbers who hid there. Among the ancient oaks and monumental beech avenues, you can still feel the rich cultural history with every step.
A fiery fall spectacle
As soon as fall sets in, the park transforms into a visual masterpiece. The centuries-old beech avenues, with trees sometimes reaching heights of over 40 meters , turn from warm golden yellow to deep orange. On the forest floor, the eagle ferns transform into a fairy-tale-like golden carpet, making every fall walk a unique experience.
In September and October, the experience isn’t just about colors—it’s also about sound. It’s the season of the red deer rut. From observation points like the Elsberg, you can hear the impressive bellowing of the stags echoing through the rolling valleys.
From the Posbank to hidden estates
The unique topography of the Veluwezoom owes its shape to glaciers from the Ice Age. From the famous Posbank viewpoint and the 110-meter-high Signaal Imbosch, you can look out over rolling valleys that take on beautiful autumn colors. On a clear day, the view here even extends all the way to the German border.
On the southern edge, historic estates such as Beekhuizen and Heuven transform the landscape. Here, you’ll stroll along stately avenues, past romantic water features, and hand-dug springs. This centuries-old seepage water once powered water mills and today adds a serene tranquility to your fall walk.
