West Veluwe and Gelderse Vallei

The Landscape

The West-Veluwe is a diverse natural landscape where nature reveals itself in all its power. The area is freely accessible and offers unique natural phenomena, such as the largest active sand dune in Western Europe, the "dancing trees" in one of the oldest forests of the Netherlands, and the distinctive Scots pines on the heath, often over a hundred years old. The region’s cultural history is equally rich, with ancient Veluwse farmhouses, stately manors, burial mounds, and the former radio station Radio Kootwijk.

The Gelderse Vallei lies between the Veluwe and the Utrechtse Heuvelrug, and is a significant agricultural region, characterized by vast meadows and arable land once reclaimed from swamps. The fertile soil offers ideal conditions for livestock farming and crop cultivation. Amid the expansive fields, nature reserves with forests and heathlands provide space and shelter for animals, birds, reptiles, and insects. It is a place where agriculture and nature walk hand in hand, where one can enjoy the peace and space it offers, whether on foot or by bike.