The best traffic-free bike rides around Nationaal Park De Hoge Veluwe

On May 8, 1997, in Aachen, the then German Federal President Roman HERZOG received the International Charlemagne Prize as a special award. In his acceptance speech, he said: „For a thousand years, the question of our continent’s destiny has been whether it wants to live in unity or in division... I already said this on May 8, 1995, when commemorating the end of the Second World War, and I want to repeat it here in substance: ... What unites us Europeans first and foremost is our common European culture, and also our political culture, which is a culture of freedom... It is the roof under which we all live. More than once, the wars we have waged against each other have made this roof shake... Today, we have the unique opportunity to consolidate the roof – the spiritual superstructure of Europe – and to place it on a solid foundation of political unity and economic progress. … We want to live peacefully and in mutual respect with the other regions of the world. But we also want to preserve our own beliefs and ways of life. For this, we need a united Europe.“ (Roman Herzog)

Since the 17th century, there have been written records of humming holes, also called "headache holes." These are approximately 50-60 cm deep holes carved into a rock face. The humming holes serve healing purposes to relieve muscle and nerve spasms. This is achieved through the vibration created by placing the head in one of the holes, starting to hum, and trying to tune the humming sound so that it transforms into an internal and external roar, which is perceived as a soothing vibration for the body.

A great idea, so many more people can explore the wide area

The Arnhem War Museum ’40–’45, located just off the Apeldoornseweg route at Kemperbergerweg 780 on the outskirts of Arnhem, is a must-see stop for Komoot riders interested in WWII history. Housed in a former village school, it features an impressive private collection with detailed dioramas, map displays, and multilingual panels that vividly portray airborne operations, civilian experiences, resistance stories, and German defenses during Operation Market Garden. The museum’s weapons section is a highlight, showcasing original rifles, pistols, machine guns, and artillery shells from both Axis and Allied forces. Key exhibits include German Mauser rifles, MP40 submachine guns, British Lee-Enfield rifles, Sten guns, various types of ammunition and grenades, as well as artillery shells and anti-tank weapons, offering a comprehensive look at the armaments used in the area. Many of these items were recovered from the local area, collected over decades by the museum’s founder and other dedicated individuals passionate about preserving Arnhem’s WWII history. These weapons and artifacts were found during postwar clearing of battlefields, old bunkers, and abandoned military sites in the surrounding forests and fields. While most recovered weapons have been safely deactivated or rendered harmless, occasional reports exist of people discovering live ordnance like grenades or unexploded shells, which required intervention by bomb disposal teams. Such incidents are rare today but serve as a reminder that the scars of war can still surface decades later. The museum offers a safe, insightful way to explore these artifacts with respect and education. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00, with admission around €10 for adults and children aged 6–11 (younger children enter free). Visitors should allow at least 90 minutes to two hours to fully explore the exhibits, though enthusiasts may stay longer. The museum makes a natural and rewarding break on your ride, providing a chance to switch from woodland scenery to immersive indoor history, with knowledgeable volunteers who bring the stories to life. There’s free parking nearby, and a café where you can refuel before continuing your journey through Arnhem’s intriguing forest landscapes and wartime sites.

The Iron Man ; The Iron Man is a fen in the Hoge Veluwe National Park, created by iron mining in the past. The fen is located in Deelense Veld and can form a unique heath stream in heavy rainfall. The name refers to the former iron mining on the Veluwe, where iron ore was extracted, melted and processed.

Deer spotting

Many Hundreds of White Bicycles

A fantastic art collection, hidden in a huge park. I would recomend stoping here while visiting the park