Across the Veluwe to Het Loo Palace

The biodiversity in the vast forests and heathlands of the Uddelse Buurtveld and the Asselde Heide is great. The area is an oasis of peace, beauty and harmony for anyone who wants to explore the landscape by bike. There are large open areas where you can look far out over the plain, but these are interspersed with the growth of trees and shrubs. Animals such as red deer and wild boar are no exception in this area, but you can also encounter the rare beetle stag beetle here. The great spotted woodpecker drums enthusiastically on the ancient trees, a buzzard drops from the sky to devour its prey or you suddenly come face to face with a wild boar. The lucky cyclist crosses his path with a smooth blow, the shy honey buzzard or the rare pine marten.

The Uddelse Buurtveld and the Asselse Heide are part of the Crown Estate Het Loo, which was originally a royal estate. Of course, Paleis Het Loo deserves extra attention on the estate. The great-grandson of William of Orange, Stadtholder William III, bought the castle in 1684 as a new hunting lodge. Due to the natural water supply from the hills, the grounds of Paleis Het Loo were ideal for landscaping and waterworks, for example. The palace has been open to the public since 1884.

Jacobus Roman designed the square main building in classicist style with a side wing on either side and the palace was expanded with four pavilions after William III became King of England. To the left and right of the main building are two pavilions that are connected to service wings around the forecourt. Parts of the museum collection can also be seen where the kitchens used to be. The Museum of the Chancellery of the Dutch Orders is located on the top floor of the building. The museum staff is located in the former Orangery. The west wing of the building is used for temporary exhibitions. The baroque gardens and the palace park are also worth a visit. The interior was designed by Daniel Marot.

Before you visit Paleis het Loo, you will pass Radio Kootwijk. A monumental building rises on the Kootwijkerzand. This broadcasting station was built in the 1820s to maintain contact with the then Dutch East Indies. The building, which most resembles a combination of a temple and a sphinx, contrasts well with the gleaming sandy hills and the whimsical shapes of the Scots pines that spontaneously emerge from the sand.