Galgenberg, Loenermark and Zilvense Heide Loop

This easy loop (about 17 km / 10.6 mi with roughly 100 m / 330 ft of total ascent) is a classic Veluwe sampler: quiet pine-and-oak woodland, broad sandy tracks, and the rolling open heath of Zilvense Heide, with a good chance of seeing big wildlife sign (and sometimes the animals themselves). Underfoot is mostly unsealed—sand, forest duff, and heath paths—so it feels “soft” but can be surprisingly energy-sapping in dry conditions.

Nearest clear start landmark / address: the most common and practical trailhead for this loop is the parking area by Schaapskooi Loenermark (sheepfold) at Droefakkers 100, 7371 CP Loenen (Gelderland, NL). ([waze.com](https://www.waze.com/nl/live-map/directions/nl/ge/loenen/schaapskooi-loenermark-parkeerplaats?to=place.ChIJMTk4FG28x0cRBZVTIl4pKdQ&utm_source=openai))

Getting to the start (car + public transport) - **By car:** Navigate to **Schaapskooi Loenermark, Droefakkers 100, Loenen**. This is a well-known access point with multiple wide forest tracks radiating into the Loenermark. ([waze.com](https://www.waze.com/nl/live-map/directions/nl/ge/loenen/schaapskooi-loenermark-parkeerplaats?to=place.ChIJMTk4FG28x0cRBZVTIl4pKdQ&utm_source=openai)) - **By public transport:** Loenen is served by regional buses; a commonly referenced nearby stop is **Loenen, Bergakkerweg** (and other Loenen village stops also exist). From the village, expect a **walk of a few kilometers** to the sheepfold trailhead, depending on which stop you use and your exact route. For planning, check connections and walking legs in **HiiKER** (use it to confirm the best stop for your chosen start). ([moovitapp.com](https://moovitapp.com/index/en/public_transit-Loenen-Netherlands-site_22768268-101?utm_source=openai))

From the sheepfold, you’ll quickly leave the village edge behind and enter the Loenermark, a large protected Veluwe landscape managed for a mix of forest, heath, and drifting-sand habitats. The first kilometers are typically on broad, gently rising tracks—nothing steep, but you’ll feel a steady “Veluwe roll” as the terrain undulates.

What the route feels like, section by section **0–4 km / 0–2.5 mi: Forest approach and gentle climbing** You start among woodland edges and sandy lanes, with the path often wide enough for shared use (walkers, cyclists). The elevation gain is gradual—think short rises rather than long climbs. In wetter months, low spots can hold puddles; in summer, the same stretches can turn loose and sandy.

4–11 km / 2.5–6.8 mi: Loenermark heath mosaics and open views As the trees thin, the landscape opens into heath and sandy clearings. This is where the loop earns its reputation: glooiende (rolling) heathland with long sightlines and a big-sky feel that’s unusual for the Netherlands. The Zilvense Heide section is the showpiece—broad, undulating heather slopes with scattered shrubs and occasional juniper. Several sources highlight viewpoints here (often associated with small hilltops) where you can pause and scan the heath. ([wandeldingen.nl](https://www.wandeldingen.nl/wandelen-zilvense-heide/?utm_source=openai))

If you’re hiking in late summer, heather bloom can be a major draw; outside bloom season, the appeal shifts to textures—silvery grasses, sandy patches, and the contrast between dark conifers and open heath.

11–17 km / 6.8–10.6 mi: Return through quieter woodland and sandy tracks The back half typically alternates between forest corridors and open patches again, gradually bending you back toward the sheepfold. Expect more soft surfaces and a few short rises/descents that add up to the modest total ascent.

Landmarks and points of interest - **Schaapskooi Loenermark (the sheepfold):** This is more than a parking spot—it’s part of active heath management. The flock helps keep the heath open by grazing, which supports a wider range of plants and insects. ([glk.nl](https://www.glk.nl/landschappen-kastelen/locatie/loenermark?utm_source=openai)) - **Zilvense Heide:** The rolling heathland centerpiece, known for its open panoramas and “Veluwe-wide” feeling. ([wandeldingen.nl](https://www.wandeldingen.nl/wandelen-zilvense-heide/?utm_source=openai)) - **IJkbasis Loenermark (benchmark/baseline area):