{"id":142475,"date":"2022-07-26T12:03:35","date_gmt":"2022-07-26T10:03:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/?p=142475"},"modified":"2025-12-19T11:26:22","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T10:26:22","slug":"to-the-hoge-veluwe-eighteen-years-later-its-much-nicer-than-i-remembered","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2022\/07\/26\/to-the-hoge-veluwe-eighteen-years-later-its-much-nicer-than-i-remembered\/","title":{"rendered":"To the Hoge Veluwe eighteen years later: ‘It’s much nicer than I remembered’"},"content":{"rendered":"

Feba Sukmana’s very first introduction with the Dutch countryside was in the Veluwe. Eighteen years later, she revisits the Hoge Veluwe National Park.<\/p>

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On an electric bike, editor Feba Sukmana reminisces in the Hoge Veluwe National Park.<\/span><\/p>

\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFeba Sukmana<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>

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A cold rainy day eighteen years ago<\/span><\/p><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>

It was the summer of 2004 when I first set foot on Dutch soil. For my studies, I flew from Jakarta for a two-week language course just outside Zeist. Between the (very hard) work and the (not so hard) partying, we explored the country by coach. While I have great memories of the many excursions, I wasn\u2019t inspired by the visit to the Hoge Veluwe. I vaguely remember a walk on a cold rainy day and a much too crowded Kr\u00f6ller-M\u00fcller Museum.<\/p>\n

Now I\u2019m going to see if I need to change my opinion. On arrival, the rustling of the trees and the birds chirping immediately make me feel as if I\u2019m on holiday. Scared that a wolf might chase me during the bike ride (that, or maybe I\u2019m just lazy), I\u2019ve rented an e-bike. For old time\u2019s sake, I first go towards the Kr\u00f6ller-M\u00fcller Museum.<\/p>\n

Van Gogh in Kr\u00f6ller-M\u00fcller<\/h2>

The building is bigger than I remember, and I don\u2019t seem to remember anything about the ninety+ paintings by my favourite artist Vincent Van Gogh. Also remarkable: near the museum among the various artworks, there are statues of unicorns, but then with men\u2019s heads and devil\u2019s horns. Not charming, just plain creepy.<\/p>\n

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Men with horns are creepy.<\/span><\/p>

\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFeba Sukmana<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Lots of activities<\/h2>

Going to the Hoge Veluwe on your own might not sound much fun, but there are always people to chat to. After visiting the museum, I cycled along with a young German couple. They were spending four days camping in the park before travelling on to the north of the Netherlands. There\u2019s no time to be bored here, because besides cycling and walking, there are organised activities for young and old, from excursions and tours to scavenger hunts. A shame though: there\u2019s not a single Geocache<\/em><\/a> (the world\u2019s most fun treasure hunt) in the park.<\/p>\n

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A sunny day at the National Park De Hoge Veluwe<\/span><\/p>

\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFeba Sukmana<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>

At the end of the afternoon, we say goodbye. I cycle past the woods and the sand dunes towards the exit. While I\u2019m not particularly enamoured of the Dutch nature, it\u2019s still lovely to enjoy the hot sun on your back and the wind on your arms as you cycle along. The Hoge Veluwe is much nicer than I remembered \u2013 and fortunately I didn\u2019t meet any wolves.<\/p>\n\n\t

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How do you get there? <\/strong><\/p>\n

It’s quickest by car, but you can also reach the park by public transport. Take the train to a local station (Apeldoorn, Arnhem, Ede-Wageningen, Harderwijk or Barneveld Centrum) and take the bus from there.<\/p>\n

Attractions & activities<\/strong><\/p>\n

Walking, cycling, animal spotting and visiting the museum. You need to book tours and excursions in advance.<\/p>\n

Dangers & irritations<\/strong><\/p>\n

It’s a bit odd that you need to buy a map (with footpaths and cycle tracks) at the entrance for 2 euros. Why isn’t that included in the ticket or uploaded on their website?<\/p>\n

Flora & fauna<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Hoge Veluwe is rich in flora and fauna. The park consists of different landscapes like moorlands, woods and sand dunes. And there’s no lack of wildlife: birds, insects, reptiles, deer. There are even foxes and wolves in the park.<\/p>\n

Where can you get information?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Most of the information is available on the website of the Hoge Veluwe<\/a>, except for the all-important map.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t

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Read more<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t