If you want to become one with the peaceful beauty of nature, Hoge Veluwe National Park in the Netherlands is a magical haven just ready to be found. This park has a lot to offer nature lovers of all ages, with its large landscapes, wide range of wildlife, and interesting sights. This guide will talk about the best times to go, how to get there from Amsterdam, and what it’s like to travel with kids in this beautiful nature area. Grab your sense of excitement and let’s go on a trip you’ll never forget.
Experience it Through my Eyes
We had good weather for a while, but not for long. Darkness came over the sky as clouds moved across it. The sun tried over and over to shine, but it couldn’t. It started to rain quickly as we were riding the bus to Hoge Veluwe National Park. As we watched the rain hit the windows, it felt good to be somewhere warm and dry. It rains a lot when people go to the park in the fall.
Transportation System
We were lucky! It stopped raining right before we got off. Before getting off the bus, my husband and I scanned our tickets. To use transportation system in the Netherlands, you have to check your ticket. Before you can get on a bus or train, you have to scan your ticket and “check in.” Then you have to scan it again when you get off. That’s all you need to do to get on in Sweden. You can’t leave, though, until you scan the ticket. You must not forget.
Renting bicycles for free?!
We talked with the woman in a small room with lots of windows before going to the park. She was an old woman with a nice face. It was her job to help us understand everything in the park. You could visit a lot of places and enjoy nature because it was very big. We were shocked to learn that we could borrow bikes for free! It always seems like free stuff is the best!
That’s what I believe. There’s no charge to use the bikes as long as we have park admission. My man was thrilled! He had already been talking about riding bikes here before we got here!Being on my own helps me keep my balance the best. I know how to ride a bike, but I’m not sure I can trust my feet. People can’t trust my shaky self when it comes to balance. We got ready for rain because that’s what we planned. Waterproof jackets, pants, and gloves that won’t get wet, check. Now we just need to pick which bikes we want to ride from the many that are the same.
We start our trip. There are paths just for bikes, and people get very angry if you ride on the way for people walking! That was something we quickly learned. The ride was smooth. This helped me understand that the Netherlands has a lot of flat land. It’s no wonder that the streets are always full of people riding bikes!
Best Times to Visit: Embrace the Changing Seasons
All year long, Hoge Veluwe National Park has its own special charm, which makes it a place that you should visit. In the spring, the park comes to life with lush plants and animals. Summer has long, warm days that are great for doing things outside like biking and having a picnic. Watch the beautiful show of colors as the leaves turn orange and gold in the fall. And in the winter, enjoy the peace and quiet of the park covered in snow, which creates a calm environment. Pick a time that sounds like the kind of time you’d like to spend outside, and get ready to be amazed by nature’s beauty.
Getting There from Amsterdam: Journey into Natural Splendor
Reaching Hoge Veluwe National Park from Amsterdam is an adventure in itself. One convenient option is to take a direct train from Amsterdam Central Station to Ede-Wageningen, followed by a bus to the park’s entrance. The journey is not only seamless but also provides scenic glimpses of the Dutch countryside along the way. Once you arrive, you can rent bicycles for free with a ticket, or explore cycling. Immerse yourself in the tranquil landscapes and discover hidden gems at your own pace.
Traveling with Kids: A Family-Friendly Adventure
There are lots of ways for families with kids to connect with nature and make memories that will last a lifetime in Hoge Veluwe National Park. There are bike paths, hiking trails, and interactive visitor centers all over the park, so there is something for people of all ages and hobbies. Kids can go on fun treasure hunts, visit the Kroller-Müller Museum to learn about animals, or just have a relaxing picnic in the beautiful scenery. The park is easy to get to, has facilities that are good for families, and has educational activities that make it a great place for a fun family trip.
Exploring Beyond the Park: Delights of the Surrounding Area
Even though Hoge Veluwe National Park gets all the attention, the area around it has other things to see and do that you shouldn’t miss. The close Kröller-Müller Museum has a huge collection of art, including some of Van Gogh’s most famous works. In fact, you can enjoy a Statue Museum walk while you stroll through the park. And if you want to learn more about culture, the historic city of Arnhem is not far away. It has a lot of history and modern building. Make the most of your time in the area and enjoy all the different things it has to offer.
Nature Museum, Museonder
It started to rain again as the wind picked up. But the rain that fell on us was warm. The wind was the only bad thing. It would blow hard for a while and then stop all of a sudden. During the ride, we stopped at a few sites to look around. Three of them had been seen. The first one was a small one called Museonder that had lots of information about nature. A nice worker told us about the other museums. That’s why we chose to leave the bikes here with all the other bikes. Here’s another spot where you can borrow a bike and use it.
Museonder is a museum that is underground and has a lot of nature inside it. You can visit this museum, which is open from 10 AM to 5 PM, and get lost in the different displays that show the natural past of the park. Museonder uses fun and interesting artifacts and interactive displays to find out about the secrets of nature. The price of entering the park includes entry to Museonder, which lets you learn more about the natural world’s wonders for no extra charge.
Statue Museum Walk: A Trail of Artistic Marvels
We walked through the second museum, which was a museum walk with statues and other works of art outside. The art was truly amazing! I was able to take some pictures even though it was raining sometimes. When I saw a tall tower ahead, my heart sank. I took a picture, and as we got closer, I realized it wasn’t that at all! The stairs were very high up and made the eyes move in strange ways.
There are a lot of amazing works by well-known artists in this outdoor gallery. The walk can be done at any time during park hours and is free for people who are already in the park. If you follow the marked path, you’ll find these amazing statues. From modern works of art to classics that will never go out of style, these sculptures add a touch of art to the natural beauty around them, blending art and nature in a way that works well together.
The Never Ending Stairs
We were both excited to go up the stairs that never ended. When we got there, I saw a closed sign and a gate that was locked. Being the way he is, my husband just walked around the gate and started to climb the cement steps.
The more I followed him, the more adrenaline I felt. It seemed like it went on for a very long time. The wind picked up speed as we went higher. The last quarter of the stairs was made of wood. I then knew why they had it shut down. There was ice on the steps! With each step, I held on tight to the railing. We were hit hard by the wind. We made it to the top at last!
The view was beautiful! We would love to see it on a clear day. We both thought this was worth it, though. Little chunks of hail began to fall on us at that moment. We quickly took some pictures and sped down the slick steps. As we went down, the hale stopped. It didn’t feel like the wind was as dangerous either. I was back on the ground. Phew! That short trip made me think of how scared I am of heights. As we walked through the park again, my legs wouldn’t stop shaking. I like getting out of my safe zone all the time. I feel better about myself that way. Yes, I’m still scared of being high up. But I’m not going to let that stop me from trying new things. Do not give up!
Where is the Never Ending Staircase?
This amazing piece of architecture is close to the Kroller-Müller Museum. As you go up or down its fascinating spiral structure, it changes the way you see things. The staircase is open during museum hours and makes for an interesting visual and physical trip. The Never-Ending Staircase is an interesting and thought-provoking place to visit, whether you choose to climb to the top or look at its optical illusions from below. Getting into the museum gives you access to the stairs.
Kroller-Muller Museum
Paints by Van Gogh could be seen at the last museum, Kroller-Muller. It looked really huge! As soon as we walked inside, I felt like a swamp rat. I was soaked, and I could see the puddles on the ground. Every time we walked, we left wet tracks behind us. A worker inside looked at us with fear in his eyes. He could see that we were completely wet. As we walked toward him, drops kept dropping from our bodies to the ground. He quickly showed us the way to the closet where they kept our wet clothes.
I felt better having my waterproof outfit off. I let out a big sigh of relief. We both started to walk toward the man from before. He seemed happy that we were no longer submerged in water. With a smile on his face this time, he stood there in his suit looking like he was going to work. We asked him where the museum starts, and he pointed and asked some nice questions. As more people came, we let him help them and then went on our way.
There were drawings in every single room. It got way too much! I could feel hunger pulling at me. Right then, we came across a fancy lunch room. Yes, on time! It was well worth the trip to Hoge Veluwe National Park! This was our best part of our trip through the Netherlands. We love you so much, beautiful nature!
About Kröller-Müller Museum
The Kroller-Müller Museum is famous all over the world and has a great collection of art, with pieces by Van Gogh, Mondrian, and many others. When the museum is open from 10 AM to 5 PM, people can look around its many halls and be surrounded by beautiful art. The museum shows a lot of different kinds of art, from paintings and statues to new installations. The museum also has a huge sculpture garden with outdoor works of art set in a beautiful park. This garden is a unique mix of art and nature. You have to pay extra to get into the Kroller-Müller Museum, where you can learn about art and be moved by its fascinating displays.
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