Hierden-Nunspeet-Harderwijk

Nunspeet is an esdorp and municipality in Gelderland. The municipality has approximately 26,000 inhabitants and has a rich history. Originally the village consisted of small farmers, day laborers and squire peelers who were very poor. After they were connected to the railway network in 1863, the economy started to grow strongly.

The village is surrounded on the east by the beautiful sea of trees and vast rolling heathland of the Veluwe, while on the east side are the Veluwe Randmeren. Unique plants such as pondweed and stone wrack, for which a protection zone has even been established, prevent algae blooms in the shallow waters. Water birds, such as the little swan and the pochard, also find these plants very tasty. The Veluwe Randmeren are such an important habitat for water birds that they have also been assigned a protected zone here. You used to find bream in the waters, but the territory of this fish has been occupied by bass and roach. The presence of pike and eel is also encouraged. The lakes have an enchanting appeal to all kinds of activities in and around the water: canoeists, swimmers, skaters, sailors, surfers, pleasure boaters... almost every kind of water recreation can be found here.

When you start the tour, you first cycle four kilometers before you arrive at the De Maagd mill in Hulshorst. This octagonal tower mill dates from 1894. The mill ground corn and was restored as a national monument in 1960, but due to disuse it fell into disrepair again. In 1988, the mill was again thoroughly restored, making De Maagd suitable for grinding again. To prevent the mill from deteriorating again, grain is now professionally milled again with 2 pairs of millstones.

Then you cycle about 15 kilometers through nature, which will continue to surprise and delight you, until you reach Landgoed en Huize Klarenbeek. The house was built in 1842 and was expanded in the first half of the nineteenth century with a main building and surrounding park. The garden was built according to the original design and contains many flowers and plants. Both the building and the estate have national monument status.

The De Duif mill was built in Nunspeet in 1886. This belt mill was used as a flour mill. Before the ground for the construction of this mill was raised, as is the case with belt mills, there were already two other mills on this site: a post mill that disappeared in 1818 and a mill that burned down completely in 1886 after a lightning strike. The mill was restored in 1963 and in 1982, after it had become very dilapidated. The former owner voluntarily operated the mill every week. Since De Duif was sold to the current owner in 1999, the mill has operated very sporadically, also on a voluntary basis.

Camping and Water Sports Center De Hooghe Bijsschel is the ideal campsite for lovers of water and nature. From this cozy family campsite you can easily go to the Veluwe or visit the Dolphinarium, for example. There is always something fun to do here, even for children.

Via the war memorial Harderwijk, which was erected to commemorate the residents of Harderwijk who fell in the Second World War, you head towards Essenburgh Castle. It is a beautiful location with its own story. The grounds are full of beautiful trees and plants. This castle, which has a timeless appearance, was built on behalf of Johan Coolwagen, who wanted to acquire a place within the Knighthood of Veluwe with this prestigious status symbol. Ultimately, the castle had to be sold to its creditors and the Premonstratensians, among others, gained possession of the castle. They used it as a monastery.