De Hoge Veluwe National Park, in Gelderland, is world-famous for its free self-service white bikes — a forerunner of modern bike-sharing that lets visitors explore heathland, forest and inland dunes across a vast network of cycle paths.
A park built entirely around cycling
From Otterlo, one of the park’s three entrances, sandy and forest cycle paths head into a varied landscape of heather moorland, pine forest and inland dunes, a rarity in Western Europe. Expect around 25 km for a loop representative of the park’s different natural habitats, on largely flat terrain punctuated by a few dune undulations.
Getting the family ride right
With barely 80 m of cumulative elevation gain, this ride poses no difficulty and suits families with young children perfectly. The white bikes available at every entrance mean there’s no need to bring your own: just grab one on arrival and drop it off anywhere in the park when you’re ready to leave.
When to go
April to October, with heather blooming in August-September offering a particularly colourful display across the park’s moorland. The park stays open year-round, but the white bikes and some services may be limited in winter.
Good to know
Otterlo and Hoenderloo, on the edge of the park, offer family-friendly accommodation, with convenient access to Arnhem for extending the stay beyond the national park visit.
