Panoramic walks in the forests of Doorwerth? Rent a holiday home in Bennekom!

With only a single shopping street and little historical character, the town of Bennekom may not seem all that remarkable. In springtime, however, it’s a different story! The tree garden near the Old Church becomes a picture-perfect scene of white blossoms. Order an ice cream at La Fontana and take a seat in this charming little park. A holiday home in Bennekom also puts you in the perfect spot for countless walking adventures. Stroll from nearby Estate Hoekelum to the Ginkel Heath, or explore Estate Duno in the forests along the Rhine near Doorwerth!

Visit the Kijk- en Luistermuseum from your holiday home in Bennekom

Although Bennekom doesn’t appear to have many historically significant buildings, it does have a museum that takes you back in time: the Kijk- en Luistermuseum in the village. Here you can admire a collection of barrel organs, step into a reconstructed 19th-century living room and an old classroom. View toys from grandmother’s time, buy old-fashioned sweets in the grocery shop, or listen to mechanical music boxes. After your visit, relax in the spacious coffee room with a cup of tea or coffee and a slice of cake at a friendly price.

Take a walk through the Renkum Valley

The roundabout near the charming little park is a junction that points toward several nature areas, each with its own appeal. Heading east, you ride gently uphill through the forest before descending into the Renkum Valley. Swap your short but scenic bike ride for an even more beautiful walk. Old beeches and twisting oaks line the path, and a wooden boardwalk leads you across the open stream valley dotted with wildflowers.

Tip: park your bike at Boscafé De Beken and enjoy a coffee on the terrace under the orchard before setting off on your walk!

Visit Arboretum Bel Monte and enjoy the view over the Rhine

A short bike ride south leads you along a winding road to Wageningen. There are plenty of cafés and terraces around the church square, but what makes Wageningen truly special is its location on the Rhine floodplains and the Wageningen Hill. Walk along the dike that skirts the hillside and take in the river landscape before reaching a favorite spot of locals and students alike: Arboretum Bel Monte. In spring, this lovely tree garden bursts with blooming magnolias, and until June, it’s bright with the colors of flowering rhododendrons.

Take the Wageningen–Opheusden ferry round trip

Has the view from Arboretum Bel Monte on the Wageningen Hill made you curious about the other side of the Rhine? Then follow the steep path downhill and take the ferry across to the Betuwe. On the other side, on the way toward Zetten, you’ll pass the castle gardens of Hemmen. The castle itself no longer exists, but the flower garden with its yew hedges is delightful and full of inspiration for garden lovers. Continue cycling along the Linge toward Opheusden, from where you can enjoy a beautiful ride along the dike back to the ferry at Wageningen.

Visit De Blauwe Kamer near Rhenen

From Opheusden, you can also cross over to Rhenen. Just across the river, the nature and bird reserve De Blauwe Kamer awaits, where you might spot spoonbills and large grazers such as Konik horses. If you’d rather sit for a while and enjoy the view of the Rhine and the Grebbeberg on the opposite bank, stop at Restaurant ’t Veerhuis for a drink on the terrace. After your walk in De Blauwe Kamer, cycle back along the dike through Wageningen toward the forests of Bennekom.

Estate Duno and Doorwerth Castle

Of all the walks you might take during your stay in Bennekom, a route through Estate Duno is not to be missed. You’ll find the entrance along the edge of Heveadorp. At about 5 kilometers, this trail is the perfect length for a relaxing walk. Pass through the wrought-iron gate that opens onto the romantic Azalea Avenue — a gravel path lined with blooming azaleas in spring. In this park, you’ll also walk under the Hunneschans Bridge, a stone arch bridge reminiscent of a Roman aqueduct. The trail continues through sloping woodland and along the Lower Rhine, leading toward the medieval Doorwerth Castle and the heathland that stretches out on both sides of the provincial road.

Visit Arboretum Oostereng from your holiday home in Bennekom

A hidden gem in the forest between Bennekom and Renkum is Arboretum De Oostereng. The name may be a bit misleading, since at first it feels like you’re walking through an ordinary forest. But if you look closely, you’ll notice some remarkable trees — hollow trunks, a giant spruce, and an ancient beech with multiple stems. This 180-year-old giant was planted as a “bouquet” of several trees together, which have since grown into one.

Walk to the Ginkel Heath from Estate Hoekelum

From a holiday home in Bennekom, you can not only enjoy forest walks or bike rides along the Rhine, but also reach the heathlands nearby. Follow a woodland route from Estate Hoekelum, perhaps after a stop at the cozy coffee farm. Continue uphill along the tree-lined avenue toward the eastern forest edge, which leads you to Planken Wambuis. This nature reserve is a unique mix of heath, grassland, and forest, and it’s a great place to stop for a meal at Restaurant Planken Wambuis.

Book a holiday home in Bennekom

As ordinary as the town of Bennekom might seem, the surrounding nature in the transition area between the Rhine Valley and the Veluwe is remarkably diverse. Walk through the Hoekelum Forest to the heathlands, discover a monumental beech at Estate Oostereng, and explore the Renkum Valley’s open landscape with centuries-old oaks. Want to stay in an area where gentle hills meet riverside paths and castles? Rent a holiday home in Bennekom and be surprised by arboretums and panoramic viewpoints!