Gelderland, a favorite for years
If you ask the average Dutch person what they think is the most beautiful province in our country or where they would prefer to live, in many cases you will hear the province of Gelderland passing by. It’s no coincidence that Gelderland is the most visited province when it comes to visitors from the Netherlands.
the Veluwe forests
The versatile nature in this province in particular makes this one of the most beautiful provinces in our country. Just think of the high Veluwe or the Crown domains near Apeldoorn. Vast expanses of forest interspersed with large open heather fields make Gelderland the province with the most beautiful and versatile nature reserves. Gelderland has been inhabited since about 200,000 years ago.
Walking across the heather fields you can clearly see how the landscape was formed in the past by creeping glaciers. The heathland areas are enclosed by large areas of forest such as the speulder and sprielder forest between Garderen and Ermelo.
The Leuvenem forest
What to think of the beautiful Leuvenemse forest that is cut through by the beautiful Leuvenemse stream. The walking route that runs through the Leuvenmse forest is part of the Long Distance Walking Route that runs right through the province and is about 165 kilometers long.
Gelderland is the largest province in the Netherlands if you would only measure the land circumference. Friesland is larger in surface area, only that includes all lakes and waters in the province. The provincial capital is the city of Arnhem.
Arnhem
Arnhem is known for the battle for Arnhem that was fought here in the Second World War. Operation MarketGarden took place around the city of Arnhem, which was of great importance to the dark occupiers.
The German occupiers had the so-called Siegfried line and Operation MarketGarden was of vital importance for the allies. The aim was to get hold of the bridges over the Maas, Waal and Rhine to stop the occupiers. Films like a bridge too far are based on the events that took place here.
Activities in Gelderland
Gelderland is also known for a number of major events, of which the Vierdaagse van Nijmegen is probably the most famous. In addition to the four-day walk, the seven-hill run is also organized in this province, but the Black Crossen and various flower processions are also organized here every year.
Of course, the province of Gelderland also has the necessary culture hotspots, just think of the Open Air Museum, Palies het Loo or the Kröller-Müller Museum to name just a few. Every year at municipal nioveua all over the province, all kinds of annual fairs and fairs are organized that attract many visitors.
Sporty Gelderland
There is also plenty to do in the sports field. The province has 3 paid football teams, of which Vitesse is the oldest and largest club. In 2009, Zuthpen was chosen as the starting place for the Spanish cycling round Vuelta a Espana. In 2019 such an honor fell on the Province itself where no less than 3 stages were held for the Italian Giro ‘d Italia.
Nice outings
For example, nice outings in the province are a day at the Dolfinarium in Harderwijk or spend a day strolling on the drifting sands of Kootwijk and the surrounding area. Take a look at the Pandas in Ouwehands Zoo in Rhenen.
Pay a visit to the open-air museum or how about a walk in the palace park of the crown domains at Paleis het Loo, the oldest piece of real primeval forest in the Netherlands.
The Crown domains
The Paleispark is 650 hectares in size and is located against Het Loo Palace and around the Oude Loo Castle. This park has traditionally been used for the relaxation and relaxation of the Royal residents of Het Loo and their guests. From the 17th century work has been done in the Palace Park to beautify the landscape. With paths, ponds and variety between open spaces and tree areas, a varied landscape has been created that looks natural.
The western and northern part of the Paleispark consisted of heathland after purchase in the 19th century. These were sown with coarse pines. These are now varied forest areas with small heaths here and there. In this part of the park, an old melting water valley from the penultimate ice age is still visible, the Wilhelminadal.
