The best gravel rides around Veluwezoom National Park

Veluwezoom National Park offers a wide selection of gravel biking routes, with over 130 trails recorded on komoot. These routes cater to various skill levels, from easy to difficult, ensuring there's something for every gravel cyclist.

Gravel biking in Veluwezoom National Park is unique due to its distinctive hilly terrain, a rarity in the Netherlands. You'll ride through diverse landscapes including extensive heathlands, varied forests, and ancient sand drifts, all shaped by glacial activity. The routes feature unpaved double tracks and former mountain bike trails, offering a dynamic and engaging experience.

Yes, Veluwezoom National Park has several gravel routes suitable for beginners. For example, the Emma Pyramid climb – Veluwezoom National Park loop from Rozendaal is an easy 15.1 km path that includes a climb to a notable viewpoint and traverses diverse park landscapes, perfect for those new to gravel biking.

Experienced gravel bikers will find challenging routes in Veluwezoom National Park. The park features sections with significant elevation changes, single tracks with roots, and rapid ascents and descents. The Heather Fields at Veluwezoom – Veluwezoom National Park loop from Velp, at 87 km, is a difficult route offering a substantial challenge for advanced riders.

Absolutely. Most of the gravel routes in Veluwezoom National Park are designed as loops, allowing you to start and finish at the same point. Popular examples include the Veluwezoom National Park – Posbank Descent loop from Rheden and the Posbank Descent – Veluwezoom National Park loop from Rheden, both offering scenic circular rides.

You'll experience a rich variety of landscapes. Expect to ride through extensive heathlands like the Herikhuizerveld, diverse forests ranging from pine to beech and oak, and unique sand drifts such as the Rozendaalse Zand. The park's distinctive hilly terrain, with elevations up to 110 meters, adds to the scenic diversity.

Yes, Veluwezoom is renowned for its many hills and expansive views. The Posbank is an iconic 90-meter-high vantage point offering panoramic views up to 20 km. Another notable viewpoint is the Emma Pyramid climb, which provides excellent vistas across the park's diverse landscapes.

Veluwezoom National Park is home to a variety of large mammals. You might spot red deer, wild boars, roe deer, and fallow deer. Wildlife observation posts are available, and if you visit in September-October, you might even witness the red deer mating season. Badgers and European pine martens are also present, though more elusive.

The park offers great riding year-round, but specific seasons highlight different aspects. August is particularly beautiful when the heathlands bloom purple. Autumn provides stunning colors in the forests. Be aware that sandbanks can be loose when dry, suggesting wider tires with lower pressure might be beneficial.

Several entry points provide access to the park's gravel routes. The visitor center in Rheden is a good starting point and likely offers parking facilities. Other routes, like the Emma Pyramid climb – Veluwezoom National Park loop, start from Rozendaal, indicating various access points with potential parking.

The komoot community highly rates Veluwezoom National Park, with an average score of 4.4 stars from over 400 reviews. Riders often praise the park's diverse and challenging terrain, the stunning natural scenery, and the well-maintained unpaved paths that make for an engaging gravel biking experience. The unique hilly landscape and the chance to spot wildlife are frequently mentioned highlights.

Beyond its natural beauty, Veluwezoom National Park also encompasses cultural and historical attractions. You might encounter several historic estates, such as Beekhuizen and Heuven, and monumental farms nestled within the park's landscapes, offering glimpses into the region's past as you ride.