Discoveries on the Veluwe: Listening to the nightjar…

From sand drifts to Vincent van Gogh and from the official Woodcraft certificate to the best pancake in the Netherlands. Or how about listening to the song of the nightjar under a sparkling starry sky? Discover the Veluwe!

With a graceful gesture, it lands on the table: the Marshmallow Strawberry, the winning pancake of the Dutch Pancake Baking Championship. Fresh strawberries covered with a comfortable blanket of creamy foam: unadulterated Italian meringue. You'd spontaneously applaud. Rightly so, because pancake house 't Jagersnest won the Golden Frying Pan with it in 2015 and the winner is still on the menu in Ermelo. It's our first introduction to the Veluwe…

Toughest climbing course in the Netherlands

The winning pancake is a welcome addition to the calories we lost a little further on in the nature park of Klimbos Ermelo among the treetops. In the green canopy, climbing courses have been installed at various heights, with adventurous names, such as The Jungle and The Kick. With the latter – the toughest climbing course in the Netherlands! – no fewer than seventeen challenging obstacles await us, nine meters high among the treetops.

The broad-shouldered instructor assists with putting on the special climbing harnesses and explains the safety system where you attach the safety hook to a steel safety cable. 'That cable guides you through the entire course: so you are secured everywhere – you can only unhook on the ground.'

In the trees, we clamber over beams and obstacles that are attached with steel cables between the forest giants – each tree has a small platform to regain strength. No obstacle is the same, with the highlight being the zip-line that takes us at dizzying speed to the next obstacle – highly recommended! There is even a family course for the whole family.

Big Five of the Veluwe

'Can we have the poop map?' I look surprised at the two girls at the reception of campsite De Wildhoeve. The 'poop map' is part of the Wildhoeve Woodcraft project, with which the campsite won the ANWB Innovation Award. Children of primary school age thus playfully come into contact with nature and collect stamps if they photograph animal tracks and birds in the forest, draw a badger's sett or – indeed – can identify the various droppings of the Big Five of the Veluwe: badger, fox, roe deer, red deer and wild boar.

In addition to the assignment booklet, there is also a Woodcraft App with which the children can collect points with their mobile phone and ultimately receive an official certificate at the campsite reception: a solemn moment for which time is really taken: you don't just become a Wildhoeve Woodcrafter…

Camping de Paalberg

A completely different campsite is De Paalberg in Ermelo. Also in the woods and just like De Wildhoeve, De Paalberg is one of the 48 'top campsites' in the Netherlands certified by the ANWB. Winding paths lead you to beautiful hidden private spots in the greenery, to cozy rental chalets and there are even special camping pitches for dog owners. Older children can enjoy themselves here in the subtropical swimming pool, during sports activities or on adventurous scavenger hunts in the forest. With a bit of luck, you might even encounter wisents: the European bison, which was almost extinct at the beginning of the last century.

Wisent dream scenario

Thanks to an extensive breeding program, about a thousand wisents are now roaming around in Europe, including three in the Veluwe: two adult females and a young bull born last year. The Veluwe is on the waiting list for an adult bull, to get closer to the dream scenario: a herd of ten that you can then simply encounter in the wild. Among the deer, roe deer, wild boars and other inhabitants. In the Veluwe you can book special wisent excursions, led by a nature guide, walking or cycling. They start from holiday park De Berkenhorst. Do check in beforehand at wisentopdeveluwe.nl

Hoge Veluwe National Park

'Pure nature on a silver platter'. This is how forester Henk Ruseler characterizes Hoge Veluwe National Park. 'A 5.4-hectare nature reserve with no less than four different landscapes. From drifting sand plains to heathlands and from lichen steppe to dark forests. And the biodiversity is enormous. Red deer, mouflons, you name it. But what about reptiles and insects - that small stuff. Beautiful! You can cycle or walk wonderfully here. And horseback riding,' he points to two female riders guiding their horses at a walk over the sandy path. 'No, ladies,' he answers, through the open window of his sturdy Land Rover. 'It's too hot to see wildlife now; our animals are all seeking coolness in the shade.'

Picasso, Mondriaan and Van Gogh

Henk talks about the origins of Hoge Veluwe National Park, founded by the immensely wealthy couple Kröller-Müller, initially as a private hunting ground and for horseback riding, as the upper class did around 1920. Anton Kröller had their hunting lodge Sint Hubertus built there by Berlage and Helene Müller devoted herself to collecting art, including works by Picasso, Mondriaan and Vincent Van Gogh.

Meanwhile, her private collection has been housed in the museum that bears the name of the extraordinary couple. 'The most beautiful works by Van Gogh are displayed here,' Henk Ruseler continues. 'The leftovers are in Amsterdam,' he jokes.

'That's why the Kröller-Müller Museum enjoys worldwide fame - art lovers are brought in by the busload from Schiphol.' In the bumpy Land Rover, the forester enthusiastically talks about the guided tours in the National Park, where he has been working for 36 years. 'We also organize night walks here. For children of primary school age - without parents. It's fantastic to see them enjoy themselves so much. And recently we've also been doing that for adults. Imagine: listening to the song of the nightjar under the stars - how the males attract the females with it. A glass of white wine, some olives... You'll never forget that!

Tips on the Veluwe

Julianatoren Amusement Park, Apeldoorn

Meet Mr. Cheese Slicer, Mrs. Cotton Candy, and Juul & Julia, known from Telekids. www.julianatoren.nl

Hoge Veluwe National Park

Over 5 hectares of nature experience, perfect for walking and cycling. www.hogeveluwe.nl

Kröller Müller Museum

Here you will find the second largest Van Gogh collection in the world: almost 90 paintings and over 180 drawings. www.krollermuller.nl

Nature Climbing Park Ermelo

Climbing with various difficulty levels, through the treetops. Also for families. The climbing forest is located directly at the entrance of campsite De Paalberg. www.klimbosermelo.nl

Pancake House 't Jagersnest, Ermelo

Winner of the Dutch Pancake Baking Championship in 2015. A ten-minute walk from campsite De Paalberg. www.tjagersnest.nl

Bison excursions

See the European bison for yourself, during excursions with nature guides. More info and bookings at www.wisentopdeveluwe.nl

Campsites on the Veluwe

Camping De Wildhoeve, Emst

Camping among wild animals, on the edge of Kroondomein Het Loo, in the middle of the woods. Luxury swimming pool, excellent restaurant. Spacious pitches for campers, special rental accommodations and tree tents.

More information at www.wildhoeve.nl

Recreation center De Paalberg, Ermelo

De Paalberg blends completely into nature, with beautiful winding paths, hidden private spots in the greenery and cozy camping fields. Separate fields for dog owners. Also rental accommodations and chalets. Subtropical swimming pool!

More information at www.paalberg.nl

Large selection of campers and caravans

Looking for a camper or caravan to explore the Veluwe? Our website offers a large and up-to-date selection of campers and caravans. View the offer here