Edesche Heide, Planken Wambuis and Ginkelsche Heide Loop

Start from Parkeerplaats De Ginkel (Verlengde Arnhemseweg 101, 6718 SM Ede, Netherlands)—a well-known trailhead right on the edge of the Ginkelse Heide, next to familierestaurant Juffrouw Tok and close to the Airborne Monument area. ([bezoek-ede.nl](https://www.bezoek-ede.nl/locaties/3126343868/parkeerplaats-de-ginkel?utm_source=openai)) This loop links three classic Veluwe landscapes—open heath, sandy patches, and long forest corridors—so the walking is physically easy (very little climbing) but long: about 37 km / 23.0 mi with roughly 100 m / 330 ft of total ascent spread so gently you’ll mostly feel it as subtle rises and dips rather than “hills.”

Getting to the start (car + public transport) **By car:** Put **Verlengde Arnhemseweg 101, Ede** into HiiKER and you’ll land at Parkeerplaats De Ginkel. It’s directly on the N224 and is widely used as a base for routes onto the heath and toward the Airborne Monument and sheepfold area. ([bezoek-ede.nl](https://www.bezoek-ede.nl/locaties/3126343868/parkeerplaats-de-ginkel?utm_source=openai))

By public transport: The nearest major rail hub is Station Ede-Wageningen. From there, you’ll typically connect by local bus/taxi to the N224 corridor (De Ginkel area) and walk in from the parking/restaurant cluster. If you’re planning a strict transit-only day, check same-day bus routing and last return times before committing to the full 37 km. ([veluwe.nl](https://veluwe.nl/en/location/parkeerplaats-de-ginkel/?utm_source=openai))

What the terrain feels like over 37 km Expect a **fast, mostly flat stride** on a mix of: - wide sandy tracks and compacted forest paths through Veluwe woodland, - open heathland paths (often more exposed to wind and sun), - occasional soft sand sections near heath/sand-drifts where pace can drop.

Because the elevation gain is only about 100 m / 330 ft, the main difficulty is time on feet and managing monotony on longer straight forest stretches. Plan for a full-day outing for most hikers, with breaks.

The route flow: heath → forest edges → wildlife reserve country → heath again From De Ginkel you quickly reach the open character of the **Ginkelse Heide**, where the horizon opens and the ground cover shifts to heather, grasses, and sandy soil. In late summer the heather can turn large areas purple; outside that season it’s still a big-sky landscape with long sightlines.

As you arc toward Planken Wambuis, the scenery becomes more varied—forest blocks, heath “rooms,” and quieter zones managed for wildlife. Planken Wambuis is known for its mix of forest, heathland, shifting sands, and grassland, and it’s specifically promoted as a place where you have a real chance of encountering wild animals. ([visit-ede.com](https://www.visit-ede.com/nature-activity/nature-reserves/nature-reserve-planken-wambuis?utm_source=openai))

You’ll then thread toward the Edese (Edesche) Heide sector, which continues the Veluwe pattern: open heath interspersed with woodland edges and sandy patches. The walking stays uncomplicated, but the scale of the landscape makes it easy to drift onto the wrong parallel track—use HiiKER to keep an eye on junctions where multiple sandy lanes run side-by-side.

Navigation and wayfinding (what to watch for) This region has many intersecting tracks—some broad and obvious, others faint in heather or softened by sand. The most common navigation mistakes happen when: - a wide track splits into two equally “good” options, - you cross open heath where the path braids into multiple lines, - you re-enter forest and pick the wrong straight lane that runs parallel for a long time.

Keep HiiKER handy and confirm direction at every major junction; it’s much easier to correct early than after 2–3 km on the wrong forest road.

Landmarks, wildlife, and seasonal considerations

Wildlife you may see (and how to behave around it) Planken Wambuis is noted for wildlife presence, including **red deer and wild boar**, and also grazing animals such as **ponies and Spanish cattle** in parts of the reserve. ([visit-ede.com](https://www.visit-ede.com/nature-activity/nature-reserves/nature-reserve-planken-wambuis?utm_source=openai)) Practical cautions: - **Give all large animals space**—especially cattle and boar. Don’t try to pass between animals and young. - In deer rut season (autumn), stags can be more reactive; keep distance and avoid lingering in narrow pinch points on the path. - Early morning and dusk are prime viewing times; bring binoculars if wildlife spotting is a goal.

Exposure, footing,