Zandenplas, Margarethabosch and Ronde Huis Loop

This easy, mostly level loop (about 9 km / 5.6 mi with roughly 0 m / 0 ft of sustained climbing) wanders through the Zandenbos south of Nunspeet on the Veluwe, linking three highlights: the open water and beachy edges of Zandenplas, the pine-and-oak woodland of Margarethabos(ch), and the atmospheric grounds where the Ronde Huis once stood. Expect a mix of wide forest tracks and narrower, softer footpaths, with frequent sandy patches that can feel a little heavier underfoot even though the route is “flat” overall.

Getting to the start (car + public transport) A practical start is **Parkeerplaats Zandenbos, Eperweg, 8072 Nunspeet (Netherlands)**—this is the signed trailhead used for the Ronde Huis walking route and sits right on the edge of the Zandenbos. ([staatsbosbeheer.nl](https://www.staatsbosbeheer.nl/uit-in-de-natuur/wandelroute-ronde-huis?utm_source=openai)) If you’d rather arrive by train/bus, the **Transferium at Nunspeet** is commonly used as a park-and-ride and public-transport hub; starting there adds distance (the combined loop is often described as shorter from the Transferium), so most hikers aiming for ~9 km choose the Zandenbos parking area instead. ([veluwe.nl](https://veluwe.nl/route/ronde-huisroute/?utm_source=openai))

For navigation, load the loop in HiiKER before you go and keep it handy at junctions—this forest has many intersecting tracks that can look similar, especially where sandy lanes braid and rejoin.

What the walk feels like underfoot From the parking area, you’ll quickly be in **mixed woodland**—stands of conifers (notably Scots pine) interspersed with deciduous sections. The ground alternates between firm packed paths and **loose sand**, a legacy of the area’s former drifting dunes. Historically, this landscape was transformed from “steep drifting sand hills” into forest after the **Petersom Ramring family** bought land here in **1881** and planted pines to stabilize the sand. ([nunspeetuitdekunst.nl](https://nunspeetuitdekunst.nl/routes/wandelroute-margaretha/?utm_source=openai))

Even on an easy route, the sand is the main “effort multiplier”: after dry spells it can slow pace, and after rain the low spots can hold water.

Zandenplas (around km 1–3 / mi 0.6–1.9, depending on your exact line) As you arc toward **Zandenplas**, the forest opens and the air often feels cooler and more humid near the water. Zandenplas is a well-known recreation lake with clear edges and a distinctly “beach-in-the-woods” feel. If you’re hiking on warm days, expect more foot traffic near the lakefront and watch for runners and families around access points.

Key things to look out for here: - Soft sand near the lake margins and on connecting paths. - Busy crossings where informal desire-lines meet the main track—use HiiKER to stay on your intended loop rather than getting pulled into lakeside spurs.

Margarethabos(ch): the quieter interior (roughly km 3–6 / mi 1.9–3.7) Leaving the lake behind, the route settles into the **Margarethabos(ch)**—a named part of the broader Zandenbos. The “Margaretha route” is traditionally marked with **white posts**, and it’s known for being varied despite its gentle profile. ([nunspeetuitdekunst.nl](https://nunspeetuitdekunst.nl/routes/wandelroute-margaretha/?utm_source=openai))

There’s a personal-history thread here: the area is named after Margaretha, the wife of Leonard van Petersom Ramring; local route descriptions note she even had a hut here for resting during walks. ([nunspeetuitdekunst.nl](https://nunspeetuitdekunst.nl/routes/wandelroute-margaretha/?utm_source=openai)) That small detail matches the overall character of this section—calmer, more enclosed, and ideal for an unhurried pace.

Wildlife is typical of Veluwe woodland: you’re most likely to notice birds first (woodpeckers and songbirds), plus signs of deer and other mammals in tracks and scat along sandy edges. Keep voices low if you want better odds of spotting movement between trunks.

Ronde Huis grounds + Zandenbos vennen (roughly km 6–9 / mi 3.7–5.6) The most distinctive cultural landmark on the loop is the site of the **Ronde Huis** (Round House), a round villa built in the early