The Hoge Veluwe National Park is one of the biggest parks in the Netherlands. Its attractions are also some of the most varied in the country.
Location
The park can be found in the Gelderland province. It is close to the city of Apeldoorn. It is also near the cities of Arnhem and Ede. You can reach the park from Arnhem at the N311. You can also reach the place from Delen or Hoenderlo.
What to See
The landscape around the park is made up of grasslands, shrubs and conifers. There are also many kinds of flowers. There is also the Kroller-Muller Museum where you can see different kinds of paintings. There is also the St. Hubert Hunting Lodge.
Tourists visiting the Hoge Veluwe National Park can also check out the Bezoekerscentrum Museonder visitor center. It is filled with different types of fauna and flora. You will also get information about the playgrounds, food stalls and the park water systems.
History
The park was the brainchild of Anton Kroller and his wife Helene Kroller-Muller (after whom the museum is named). The land was bought in 1909. Construction continued up to 1929. Due to economic problems, the couple could not finance the building. In 1935, the couple sold their art collection to the Netherlands government who took over the building of the park.
The whole area is made up of woodlands, sand dunes and heathland. Majority of the landscape was formed at the last Ice Age. The heathland and sand dune areas alternate. This was probably caused by human usage. Today, the park has become one of the biggest nature reserves in all of Europe.
Cost
The entrance fee to the park is 12 Euros. The fees for children 3 to 12 years old cost 1.5 Euros. For kids over 12 it is 3 Euros. The visitors to the park can use the bicycles for free.
Other Info
There are many other interesting edifices in the park. One of them is the Museonder museum. This is near the visitor center. The emphasis here is the geology and biology of the surrounding area. There is also the hunting home made by Hendrik Petrus Berlage.
For those who have not been to the Hoge Veluwe National Park, bear in mind that camping is not allowed. The visitor center will provide you with all the info necessary to make the most of your visit to the site.