Zwarteweg, Valkseweg and Hoog Buurloseweg Loop

This is a long, low-stress Veluwe circuit—about 111 km / 69 mi with roughly 600 m / 1,970 ft of climbing—linking sandy forest roads, heathland edges, and quiet lanes named Zwarteweg, Valkseweg, and Hoog Buurloseweg. The terrain is rarely steep; the elevation gain mostly comes as gentle rollers and short rises over old drift-sand ridges and forested dunes rather than sustained climbs.

A practical start area to plan around is Hoog Buurlo (near Apeldoorn)—specifically the Schaapskooi Hoog Buurlo (sheepfold) area and the road junction around Hoog Buurloseweg / Alverschotenseweg / Turfbergweg, which is a well-known access point for walkers and nature management in this part of the Veluwe. (wandelzoekpagina.nl)

Getting to the start (car + public transport)

By car - Aim for parking near Hoog Buurlo (commonly signed as parking for the sheepfold/heath). There are multiple small parking areas in the vicinity, so it’s worth checking your exact chosen start pin in HiiKER before you drive in, especially if you’re starting very early or on a weekend. (mooisteroutes.nl)

By public transport - The most useful nearby stop to anchor a plan is “Apeldoorn, Hoog Buurloseweg” (bus stop). From there, expect a walk-in on quiet roads/forest tracks to reach the Hoog Buurlo access points. Use HiiKER to choose the cleanest foot-friendly approach and to avoid unnecessary road shoulders. (reisinfo.rrreis.nl)

What the route feels like underfoot

You’ll spend much of the loop on a mix of: - Wide forest roads (often compacted sand/gravel) - Heathland tracks that can be firm when dry but soft and energy-sapping in patches - Occasional mulle zand (loose sand) sections—short, but they slow pace and increase calf/ankle fatigue, especially late in the day. (mooisteroutes.nl)

Because the overall grade is mild, the main difficulty is distance management: foot care, pacing, and keeping your nutrition steady over many hours (or multiple days, if you split it).

Landmarks, landscapes, and the “Veluwe big sky” sections

A highlight of this area is the constant alternation between dense pine/oak woodland and open heath where the horizon suddenly widens. Around Hoog Buurlo, the landscape is strongly shaped by centuries of heath use and grazing, and the sheepfold is part of that living management tradition. (staatsbosbeheer.nl)

If your loop swings near Radio Kootwijk, you’ll pass one of the Veluwe’s most striking cultural landmarks: the former longwave transmission complex and its iconic main building, “Gebouw A”, widely nicknamed “De Kathedraal”. It’s a monumental early-20th-century concrete structure (about 48 m / 157 ft tall) set amid heath and drift-sand scenery—an unforgettable contrast of industry and wilderness. (vpro.nl)

Wildlife and what to watch for

This part of the Veluwe is prime habitat for larger mammals. On quiet stretches—especially dawn/dusk—you have a real chance of seeing: - Red deer - Wild boar

They’re not usually aggressive, but they can startle easily and move fast across tracks. Give them space, keep dogs controlled if you’re hiking with one, and be extra alert where visibility is limited by young forest or bends in sandy roads. The area is also