The best dog-friendly hikes and walks around Deelerwoud

The Schalterberg Water Extraction Area is located in the Veluwe region near Beekbergen and is an important area for drinking water extraction. 🌊 Rainwater seeps deep into the ground through the clean sandy soil and is naturally filtered. This groundwater is then pumped up for drinking water. 🌲 The area consists mainly of forest and heathland, which helps keep the soil clean. Therefore, protective regulations are in place to prevent pollution. For hikers, it's a peaceful, green area where you can beautifully see how nature and drinking water supply converge.

The Vrijenbergerstreng is a unique and lesser-known stream and spring area in the Veluwe, with high landscape and ecological value. 🌊 What is the Vrijenbergerstreng? The Vrijenbergerstreng is a spring stream: a natural spring stream, man-made. It originates from seepage water that has infiltrated deep into the sandy soils of the Veluwe and surfaces along the edge of the moraine landscape. 🏞️ Location The stream is located in the eastern Veluwe, near Beekbergen/Loenen, an area known for its many springs and streams. The Vrijenbergerstreng is part of a larger historical spring system. ⚙️ Historical Function From the Middle Ages onwards, springs such as the Vrijenbergerstreng were: deepened and extended to increase water flow used for watermills, especially in the paper industry used to power mills and later laundries The clear, iron-free water was ideal for paper production. 🌱 Nature and Landscape The water is cold and clear (a nearly constant temperature year-round) Alders, beeches, and ferns grow along the stream Species such as: stream damselfly newt kingfisher (occasionally) The combination of flowing water, shade, and relief makes the area ecologically valuable. 🚶‍♀️ A hiker's experience The Vrijenbergerstreng is attractive for hikers because of: its peaceful, secluded character the contrast between dry heathland/coniferous forests and wet stream valleys the view of historic waterways that still function You literally walk along a piece of cultural history in the landscape.

🌿 What is heathland? Heathland consists mainly of heather (Calluna vulgaris) and bell heather (Erica). These are low shrubs that thrive in poor, acidic sandy soils, such as in the Veluwe region. 🌱 Growth and life cycle Germination: Heather sows itself via seeds that often only germinate on open sand or bare soil. Juvenile stage (0–5 years): The plant grows slowly and remains low, but is then at its most vigorous. Mature stage (5–15 years): The heather flowers profusely (purple/pink in summer) and forms a dense carpet. Senescence (15–25 years): The plants become woody, flower less, and gradually die. 🔥 Why management is necessary Without management, heathland will naturally transform into grassland or woodland. Therefore, heathland is actively maintained by: Grazing (sheep eat grass and saplings) Sod cutting (removing the topsoil) Mowing or sometimes controlled burning This creates bare patches where new heather can germinate. ⏳ Growth rate Heathland grows slowly: it often takes 10 to 15 years for a heathland to become fully lush and thriving again after restoration management. 🦋 Ecological value Heathland is important for many insects, such as bees and butterflies, but also for birds (nightjars, woodlarks) and reptiles (viviparous lizards).

This waterfall is the lesser-known sibling of the Loenen waterfall, which lies downstream. You can park at that "larger" waterfall and walk along the straightened, deep stream to it. This is a good copse for wildlife spotting, and it's much quieter at this waterfall than at the larger one.

beautiful walk over the loenermark

Beautiful piece of the Veluwe

Dogs are allowed to run free between the green posts.

Always bring a drink for unforeseen circumstances; there are usually people there, with or without dogs running loose. It's not a long walk, but it's beautiful!