Traverse the heart of the Veluwe and walk to Kroondomein Het Loo from your holiday home in Uddel

From heathlands and dancing beeches to Kroondomein Het Loo – from your holiday home in Uddel, you can easily discover the best of the Veluwe by bike! Nearby, enjoy the semi-open landscape and cozy dining spots in atmospheric hunting lodges. But be sure to let yourself be surprised by the many sights this Veluwe region has to offer, from Castle Staverden to the hunting lodge Het Oude Loo, and of course the Dutch Versailles: Palace Het Loo!

Experience the Veluwe wilderness from your holiday home in Uddel

Around the small town of Uddel lie several nature reserves that you can easily combine during a cycling or hiking trip. Along the way, you’ll pass through areas such as the Asselsche Heath, the Hoog Soerensche Field, and the Uddeler Buurtveld. For a route that starts or ends with a tasty meal, head to pancake restaurant Berg en Dal in Hoog Soeren. A walk from this village begins charmingly at the village chapel, located at the edge of a rolling field. From here, you’ll soon enter the monumental forest. Further along at the viewpoint, you can look out over the vast heathland—a natural scene that becomes ever more beautiful as you go. Under the right conditions, your eyes may even meet a herd of deer!

Tip: keep in mind that this walking route passes through Kroondomein Het Loo and is closed from mid-September to the end of December.

Discover the diverse landscapes around the Uddelermeer

As a bordering municipality of Kroondomein Het Loo, Uddel invites you to enjoy endless walking pleasure! One suggested starting point is the De Vosselt parking area. Beyond the heathland of the same name, you’ll walk through a mixed forest with old beeches, then into an open landscape, and later reach the Uddeler Buurtveld. Another option is a Veluwe loop starting from the parking area at the Uddelermeer. This trail showcases a small-scale landscape with hedgerows and forest. You’ll also walk around the lake and come across a charming half-timbered cottage on the edge of the woods. Follow field paths and a small stream until you reach Buitenplaats Het Loo – a thatched hunting lodge with a spacious terrace and cozy interior featuring comfy benches and taxidermy displays.

Hiking and mountain biking in the Speulderbos

Many hikers who know the Veluwe like the back of their hand will name the Speulderbos as one of their favorites! The moraine ridge on this western flank of the park offers surprising elevation changes. The trees also make the forest unique, creating the optical illusion that they seem to dance! In addition to their twisted shapes, the forest exudes a fairytale atmosphere with mushrooms and moss-covered trunks everywhere. Follow the “duintjesroute” if you want to experience this mystical natural setting — the path quickly leads you into the dense beech forest. Besides the winding beeches, tree species in the Speulderbos range from oaks and birches to conifers, making it a wonderfully diverse forest where you can enjoy beautiful walks in any season.

Good to know: due to the elevation differences, the forest near Garderen is also popular with mountain bikers. Winding trails over small hills make the terrain especially suitable for sporty cyclists with an average fitness level.

Visit the sand sculptures of Garderen from your holiday home in Uddel

One of the most enjoyable outings for young and old alike is the Sand Sculpture Garden of Garderen. Both indoors and outdoors, you’ll find impressive sculptures — from architectural creations to detailed human figures. Even when you’re taking a break on the terrace of the Lunchroom, you’ll have a lovely view of the sculpture garden! Have you visited this museum before? Then come again from your holiday home in Uddel, because every year the exhibition changes, featuring sculptures inspired by a new theme.

Romantic walks on the Staverden Estate

When spending your holiday in Uddel, be sure to take the opportunity to visit the Staverden Estate. In this leafy park, you can enjoy a princely walk surrounded by a palette of green and white. The white accents belong to the castle and coach house, but also to the white peacocks—and if you’re lucky, you might even spot a posing bride. Every season has its charm: the March violet blooms at the end of winter, and in autumn the estate looks stunning with its warm colors reflecting in the pond. During this season, the small waterfall, located a picture-perfect distance from the castle, adds even more romance. So don’t forget your camera when exploring this picturesque estate!

Visit the royal palace museum and Het Oude Loo

One of the region’s annual highlights is, of course, Palace Het Loo. You have to appreciate perfection to enjoy it fully—the palace and its gardens were designed with flawless symmetry. The baroque interior, however, feels less formal, with warm red carpets and paintings on the walls. Interestingly, this grand palace casts a shadow over another nearby but much older estate: Castle Het Oude Loo. This medieval hunting lodge is one of the Veluwe’s lesser-known but equally beautiful gems, complete with red shutters, a round pond, and a drawbridge.

You can reach the water castle from the Bosloo car park, the entrance to the palace park. On the way, you’ll pass a lovely forest edge and a gently sloping field where deer roam. Another unexpected highlight is the Royal Stables, a large complex with two side wings and a central courtyard.

Rent a holiday home in Uddel

Uddel is surrounded by multiple heathlands and lies on the western edge of Kroondomein Het Loo. The area is known for its wildlife — it’s relatively easy to spot animals in nature or at the so-called wildlife meadows. Would you like to leave your car parked as much as possible and explore the Veluwe’s highlights by bike? Then ride to these must-see spots from your holiday home in Uddel: the Staverden Estate, the rolling Speulderbos, the Royal Stables, and the water castle in the Palace Park of Het Loo!