Hooge Heide, Montferland and Bergherbosch Circular

This is a long, lowland “big day out” through the wooded ridges and heath of the Montferland area, linking Hooge Heide and the Bergherbosch with a steady rhythm of forest tracks, sandy paths, and quiet lanes. At around 54 km / 33.6 mi with roughly 400 m / 1,312 ft of total ascent, it’s “easy” in terms of gradients and technicality, but it’s still an endurance hike: expect 10–13 hours of moving time for most hikers, plus breaks.

Getting to the start (car + public transport)

Because “near …” is incomplete, the most practical start for this loop is typically set at a major, easy-to-find trailhead on the Montferland ridge. A common, well-signed access point is ’s-Heerenberg (near Huis Bergh Castle / Kasteel Huis Bergh), which also gives you a memorable landmark right at the beginning or end.

• By car: Aim for ’s-Heerenberg town center / Kasteel Huis Bergh area (a prominent, signed destination). There are usually multiple public car parks around the castle and town center; choose one that allows long stays and note any time limits.
• By public transport: The nearest larger rail hubs are typically Doetinchem or Arnhem, then continue by regional bus toward ’s-Heerenberg. From the bus stop in town, you can walk a few minutes to the castle area and pick up forest-bound paths quickly.
  
• Navigation: Load the route in HiiKER before you arrive and download offline maps; the Montferland has many intersecting forestry tracks where it’s easy to drift onto a parallel path.

What the terrain feels like over 54 km / 33.6 mi

You’ll be walking on: - Wide forest roads (fast, forgiving underfoot) - Narrow sandy singletrack through pine and mixed woodland (slower, can be soft) - Heathland edges (more open, wind-exposed) - Short paved connectors through villages and along quiet roads (good for making time, but harder on feet)

The “climbs” here are low and frequent rather than steep: short rises onto the ridge, then gentle undulations. The cumulative gain (~400 m / 1,312 ft) comes from repeating these small ups and downs all day.

Route rhythm and key areas you’ll pass through

0–10 km / 0–6.2 mi (settling in):
Starting near ’s‑Heerenberg, you’ll quickly leave built-up streets for the first wooded slopes. Early on, the route tends to feel surprisingly “hilly” for the Netherlands because you’re repeatedly stepping up onto the Montferland ridge. This is a good section to keep your pace conservative—your feet and hips will thank you later.

10–25 km / 6.2–15.5 mi (Hooge Heide + ridge walking):
Hooge Heide is where the landscape opens up: expect heath, scrub, and lighter woodland with longer sightlines. In late summer, heather can color the ground in purples and pinks; outside that season it’s still a distinctive, airy contrast to the darker forest blocks.
Underfoot can turn sandy here—if it’s been dry, the sand saps energy; if it’s been wet, you may find soft, churned sections where bikes and horses have passed.

25–40 km / 15.5–24.9 mi (Montferland villages + forest transitions):
This middle stretch often alternates between deep forest corridors and small settlements. It’s the most practical part of the day for resupply: if your loop passes near village centers, plan a quick stop for water and calories rather than carrying everything from the start.
Watch for subtle wayfinding traps: forestry grids can create “same-looking” junctions. Use HiiKER at intersections and confirm you’re on the correct track before you commit for the next 1–2 km.

40–54 km / 24.9–33.6 mi (Bergherbosch + the long finish):
Bergherbosch is typically denser and more enclosed—classic pine plantation feel mixed with older stands. Late in the day, this is where fatigue can cause small navigation errors because many tracks run parallel. Keep an eye on your intended turns and don’t rely on “it looks right.”
The final kilometers tend to feel longer than the profile suggests: even gentle rollers add up after 8–10 hours on foot.

Landmarks and historical context

This region sits on the Montferland ridge, a notable upland in an otherwise low country, and it has long been a natural corridor for settlement, forestry, and cross-border movement. The presence of Huis Bergh (Kasteel Huis Bergh) in ’s‑Heerenberg anchors the area’s historical identity: a substantial medieval castle complex that reflects the strategic importance of these higher grounds and nearby routes. Even when you’re deep in the woods, you’re rarely far from traces of managed landscapes—straight forestry lines, old boundary tracks, and long-established paths linking villages.

Nature, wildlife, and what to look out for

• Woodland birds: Great spotted woodpeckers, jays, and a constant chorus of small passerines in spring and early summer.
• Deer: Roe deer are common in quiet forest edges—most likely at dawn, dusk, or in the first/last hour of your hike.
• Heathland species: In open heath, look for butterflies on