Beekhuizerzand, Koopmansbosch and De Zandmolen Loop

This easy loop sits on the northwest Veluwe between Ermelo and Harderwijk, linking three very different landscapes in one day: open drifting sand at Beekhuizerzand, shaded pine-and-oak forest around Koopmansbosch/Leuvenumse Bos, and a classic Dutch windmill stop at De Zandmolen (Windmill “De Koe”) in Ermelo. Expect roughly 17 km / 10.6 mi with essentially flat walking—plan for about 0–50 m / 0–165 ft of gentle, rolling “micro-relief” rather than any real climbs (the Veluwe is low, but the sand can feel surprisingly energy-sapping).

Getting to the start (car + public transport)

• Best simple trailhead by car: P-Veluwe Poolseweg, Poolseweg 1, Ermelo—a free Veluwe “starting point” parking area with information boards and quick access into the woods and toward the sand drift. (veluwe.nl)
  
• Public transport approach: Aim for Ermelo (rail station), then use local bus/taxi or a short bike ride to the Poolseweg area. Ermelo is a well-known Veluwe gateway town in Gelderland. (en.wikipedia.org)
  
• If you’re building the route in HiiKER, set your start near Poolseweg 1, Ermelo (or another signed Veluwe parking area on the forest edge) so you begin on firm paths before hitting the loose sand.

What the terrain feels like (and why “0 m gain” can still be tiring)

Most of the loop is on wide forest tracks and narrower sandy footpaths. The “elevation gain ~0 m” rating is fair in the sense that there are no sustained hills, but the drifting sand section can slow your pace dramatically—each step can slide, and wind can reshape footprints quickly. In dry spells, the sand is loose and deep; after rain, it firms up and becomes much easier.

The walk, section by section (approximate distances)

0.0–3.0 km (0.0–1.9 mi): Forest approach from the trailhead
From the Poolseweg/Ermelo forest edge you’ll ease in on straight, well-drained Veluwe tracks through pine plantation and mixed woodland. This is classic Veluwe terrain: sandy soils, conifers, and occasional openings where heather and grasses take hold. It’s a good place to settle into a steady rhythm and check your HiiKER map for the best entry point into the open sand.

3.0–7.0 km (1.9–4.3 mi): Beekhuizerzand drifting-sand “mini desert”
You’ll break out of the trees into the open Beekhuizerzand, a drifting-sand area of about 200 hectares that was actively restored back into open sand in the early 2000s by removing encroaching pines and topsoil so the sand could move again. (en.veluwespecialist.nl)
Here the landscape is wide and bright, with scattered “fly pines” and low scrub at the margins. On clear days, the openness gives long views and a real sense of space that’s rare in the Netherlands.

What to look for (nature + wildlife): - Sand specialists: lichens and reptiles such as sand lizards are characteristic of these habitats. (birdingplaces.eu)
- Birdlife: this area is known for species that like open heath/sand mosaics—examples reported for the area include woodlark, skylark, yellowhammer, tree pipit, stonechat, nightjar, and in winter sometimes great grey shrike. (birdingplaces.eu)
- Along the edges, you may also spot ravens and other woodland birds moving between forest