Northern Valley and Speulder and Sprielder Forests

The Landscape

When the glaciers retreated some 150,000 years ago, they left behind a landscape sculpted by ridges and valleys. On the higher grounds of the Veluwe, vast forests and heathlands took root, shaping the character of the region over time. In the lower-lying Northern Valley, a gentler landscape emerged, with grasslands, meandering streams, and small-scale farmlands. These geological features form the foundation of the landscape we see today, one that has been continuously reshaped by the forces of nature and the hands of humankind.

But those who enter this landscape today discover so much more: dense forests with gnarled, twisted trees, age-old estates, and mysterious prehistoric burial mounds. Further along lies a peaceful rural world of farms, hay meadows, fields, hedgerows, winding streams, and small patches of heath. All of this unfolds along the gentle rise from valley to higher ground, where the harmony between nature and culture invites you to explore this remarkable region more deeply.