Doorwerthsche Heide, Ederheide and De Sysselt Loop

You’re looking at a long, low-relief Veluwe loop that strings together three very different “heide” landscapes—Doorwerthsche Heide (near Doorwerth/Heelsum), Ederheide (south of Ede), and De Sysselt (woodland and drifting sands between Ede and the Ginkelse Heide). At ~44 km / ~27.3 mi with roughly ~200 m / ~656 ft of total ascent, it’s physically “easy” in terms of gradients, but it’s still an all-day outing where foot comfort, pacing, and navigation discipline matter more than hill fitness.

Where to start (nearest known landmark / address)
A practical start/finish anchor on the Doorwerth/Heelsum side is ’t Kerkje op de Heuvel, Koninginnelaan 30, 6866 NM Heelsum (Netherlands). It’s a well-known local landmark and commonly used as a walking start point for routes that quickly reach the Doorwerthsche Heide. (kerkjeopdeheuvel.nl)

Getting to the start

By car - Navigate to Koninginnelaan 30, 6866 NM Heelsum (’t Kerkje op de Heuvel). Parking availability varies by day/events, so arrive early if you’re starting on a weekend. (kerkjeopdeheuvel.nl)

By public transport - The easiest rail hub for this region is Arnhem Centraal or Ede-Wageningen (depending on which side you’re coming from). From there, use regional buses toward Heelsum/Doorwerth and get off near Heelsum village, then walk up to Koninginnelaan. (Bus routes and stop names change often—check the current timetable the day before.)
- If you’d rather start on the Ede side (closer to Ederheide/De Sysselt), Ede-Wageningen station is the main rail gateway; local buses and short taxi rides can place you near the forest edges quickly.

What the terrain feels like over 44 km / 27.3 mi

Expect a repeating pattern: - Heath and sandy tracks (fast when firm, energy-sapping when loose) - Pine and mixed woodland lanes (easy cruising, very runnable underfoot) - Short, punchy rises on old Veluwe sand ridges and embankments (where most of that ~200 m / 656 ft gain accumulates)

Underfoot is mostly unpaved: compacted forest road, singletrack, and sandy stretches. After rain, some low spots can hold water; after dry spells, sand becomes the main “difficulty multiplier.”

Doorwerthsche Heide → wildlife corridor and quiet heath

From the Heelsum start, you’ll quickly leave village edges for a mosaic of heath, woodland, and sandy clearings typical of the Veluwe fringe. This area is also shaped by modern conservation engineering: the A50 motorway cuts through the landscape, and the Ecoduct Wolfhezerheide (also referred to with the Kabeljauw location) was built to reconnect habitats on either side—important for large mammals and also a distinctive landmark when your route crosses it. (werkenaanwandelen.nl)

What to look for - Open heath patches with scattered