Oud Reemsterzand, Hoog Nuurlosche and Deelense Veld via Amsterdamseweg and Arnhemseweg

This is a long, mostly-flat Veluwe circuit linking some of the region’s best open sand, heath, and pine forest: the drifting sands of Oud Reemsterzand, the wooded estates around Hoog Buurlo / Hoog Soeren, and the broad heaths of Deelense Veld, stitched together by classic Veluwe corridors near Amsterdamseweg and Arnhemseweg. At roughly 64 km / 40 mi with about 200 m / 656 ft of total ascent, it’s “easy” in terms of gradient, but it’s still a full-day endurance walk (or a very comfortable two-day) because of the distance and the amount of sandy footing.

Getting to the start (public transport + car)

Because your start is listed only as “near”, the most practical and common access points for this route are along the Amsterdamseweg / Arnhemseweg corridor between Apeldoorn and Arnhem, where there are multiple trailheads and bus stops. If you share a coordinate (lon/lat) I can pin it to the nearest address/landmark precisely; until then, these are the best real-world start options hikers use:

• By train + bus (most straightforward):

  • Take the train to Apeldoorn or Arnhem Centraal.
  • From Apeldoorn, buses commonly run toward Hoog Soeren / Radio Kootwijk / Hoog Buurlo areas depending on the line and season; from Arnhem, buses run toward Schaarsbergen / Hoenderloo / Otterlo corridors. From either city, you’ll typically finish with a short walk from a stop on or near Amsterdamseweg or Arnhemseweg to a trail access point.
  • Plan the last-mile navigation with HiiKER, because Veluwe junctions can be dense and some sandy tracks look deceptively similar.

• By car (easiest logistics for a 64 km loop):

  • Use a public parking area near Hoog Soeren, Hoenderloo, Schaarsbergen, or a signed Veluwe trailhead off Amsterdamseweg or Arnhemseweg. These roads are well-known gateways into the park/forest blocks and usually have marked pull-ins or lots.
  • Arrive early: popular Veluwe trailheads can fill quickly on weekends and fair-weather days.

What the terrain feels like (and why it matters)

Expect a mix of: - Firm forest tracks (fast walking, low effort) - Heathland paths (often springy, sometimes muddy after rain) - Loose sand sections around drifting-sand areas (slow, calf-heavy, and the one place this “easy” hike can feel surprisingly taxing)

Even with only ~200 m / 656 ft of gain, the energy cost comes from distance and sand. Footwear with a snug heel and good sand-shedding tread helps; gaiters are optional but can be welcome if you dislike sand in shoes.

Route character and key landscapes (with approximate distances)

Because this is a long circuit, it helps to think of it in big “blocks.” Distances below are approximate and assume a continuous loop totaling ~64 km / 40 mi.

0–12 km (0–7.5 mi): Forest approach and estate edges
You’ll likely begin on wide Veluwe tracks—pine, spruce, and mixed woodland—with occasional openings that hint at the heath and sand to come. This early section is usually the easiest for pacing: gentle grades, predictable footing, and plenty of junction signage. It’s also where you’ll pass the first of several wildlife crossing corridors—broad, quiet tracks where you may see fresh hoofprints in soft edges.

12–24 km (7.5–15 mi): Oud Reemsterzand – drifting sands and open sky
Oud Reemsterzand is one of the Veluwe’s classic stuifzand (drifting sand) landscapes: pale sand sheets, scattered pines and birches, and a big-sky feel that’s rare in the Netherlands. In dry spells, the sand can be loose and energy-sapping; in windy weather, it can blow into eyes and gear.
What to look for: - Sand ripples and wind-shaped micro-dunes - Pioneer vegetation (mosses, lichens, hardy grasses) stabilizing edges - Raven and buzzard activity overhead—open sand makes thermals and hunting easier

Navigation note: in open sand, “paths” can braid and fade. Keep HiiKER handy and confirm direction at each exit point where sand meets forest.

24–38 km (15–23.5 mi): Hoog Buurlo / Hoog Soeren area – deep forest, long straight tracks
This middle stretch often feels like classic Veluwe forestry: long, ruler-straight lanes alternating with softer, curving single tracks. It’s mentally easy walking but can be deceptively time-consuming if you drift into a too-fast pace early.
You’ll notice subtle elevation changes here—nothing steep, but enough rolling to accumulate toward the ~200 m / 656 ft total.
Wildlife is often most active in these quieter forest blocks: - Red deer and roe deer are the headline species; dawn and dusk are prime, but tracks and droppings are common all day. - Wild boar are present in parts of the Veluwe; you’re more likely to see rooting signs than the animals themselves. Give any boar a wide berth, especially if you suspect piglets nearby.

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