Impressive bicycle tour of the high Veluwe

There is much to enjoy during this long ride through one of the most beautiful areas of our country. From the start in Schaarsbergen, on the western side of the Veluwe, the route is hilly and allows the cycling recreationist to indulge in the varied nature. After Schaarsbergen, with remnants of the German defenses in WW-II, we head north, to continue past Deelen airbase to Hoenderlo, the gateway to Hoge Veluwe National Park. The wooded route leads from this village toward Otterlo, from where it is easy to reach the Kröller Müller Museum, with an impressive collection of paintings by Vincent van Gogh, among others. The Veluwe landscape, dating from the ice age, contains fascinating vegetation, consisting of junipers, larches and highly varied deciduous forest. After Otterlo, we head south through the village of Roekel past the famous Ginkelse Heide, with reminders of the airborne Market Garden operation. The forests, here mostly Scots pines, are interspersed with moors, where a large flock of sheep has its home. The area is further an eldorado for game and poultry, which are found here in many species. After a double crossing of the A12 we return to Schaarsbergen, with a good chance of meeting the numerous large grazers that populate this area.