Glamping rental Beekbergen - 1 glamping

Beekbergen: The Veluwe's Best-Kept Secret on Your Doorstep

Tucked into the eastern edge of the Netherlands, in the province of Gelderland, Beekbergen is a small village with an outsized sense of wonder. Part of the municipality of Apeldoorn, this charming settlement sits at the gateway to the Veluwe, one of the largest and most biodiverse nature reserves in Northwestern Europe. With a population of fewer than 5,000 people, Beekbergen offers the rare combination of deep tranquility and endless exploration, all within easy reach of cities, airports, and international rail connections.

The landscape here might surprise you. Forget the flat-as-a-pancake image many hold of the Netherlands. Beekbergen is flanked by dense forests of deciduous and coniferous trees on one side and gently rolling agricultural land on the other. Nearby, you will find vast heathlands, sand drifts, and even waterfalls. The village itself is home to well-preserved historic architecture, artisan shops, and a relaxed atmosphere that feels worlds away from the bustling Randstad cities.

Why Beekbergen Belongs on Your Holiday Shortlist

Choosing Beekbergen for your next holiday or weekend escape means stepping into a place where nature, history, and culture intertwine without the tourist crowds. Here is why this Veluwe village makes such a compelling base:

• Beekbergen is located on the edge of the Veluwe, giving guests immediate access to forests, moorland, grassy plains, and sand drifts, all remarkably close together.
• The village is only about 8 kilometers from the city center of Apeldoorn, meaning you can enjoy a royal palace visit or city shopping trip in the morning and be back among the trees by lunchtime.
• International visitors will find Beekbergen well-connected. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is roughly 100 kilometers away, and the region is easily reachable by car from Germany, Belgium, and France.
• The pace of life here is gentle. The village offers a peaceful retreat with local cafes, small galleries, and scenic walking trails starting right from the center.
• The Veluwe region was voted one of the finest areas of scenic beauty in the Netherlands by the Dutch themselves, and Beekbergen is one of its most atmospheric entry points.

A Village with Surprising Layers

Where Forests Meet History

Beekbergen is not just a pretty face. The village has a rich history stretching back to medieval times, and it was once an independent municipality before merging with Apeldoorn in 1818. Along the Oude Beek, a local stream, three overshot watermills were historically used for paper production, a nod to the industrial heritage of this quietly industrious region.

The Woeste Hoeve Memorial

One of the most poignant sites near Beekbergen is the Woeste Hoeve Memorial. On March 8, 1945, 117 people, the majority of whom were resistance fighters, were executed here by the German occupiers in one of the largest mass reprisals of World War II in the Netherlands. The memorial, set in a pine forest, is a place of deep reflection and remembrance. It features a large wooden cross and a glass memorial plate listing the names of those who lost their lives. For visitors interested in European wartime history, this site offers a solemn and deeply moving experience.

Steam Trains and Nostalgia

Beekbergen is home to the Veluwsche Stoomtrein Maatschappij (VSM), a heritage railway that operates vintage steam trains along a scenic route from Apeldoorn to Dieren. The engine sheds are located at the Beekbergen station, and during special events like the popular "Terug naar Toen" (Back to Then) days, multiple steam locomotives run simultaneously, creating an impressive spectacle of industrial-age power and nostalgia. This is a genuine living museum that appeals to train enthusiasts and families alike.

The Tallest Waterfall in the Netherlands (Really!)

Just a stone's throw from Beekbergen, near the neighboring village of Loenen, you will find the Loenense Waterval. At 15 meters, it holds the title of the highest waterfall in the Netherlands. It is man-made, constructed in the late 19th century to manage water flow, and it has been playfully nicknamed the "Niagara of the Veluwe." Set in a lush forest, it makes for a lovely short walk and a surprisingly scenic highlight in such a famously flat country.

Five Things to Do That Most Visitors Miss

1. Walk the Bekbergerpad (Klompenpad). This is Beekbergen's own "Wooden Shoe Trail," a beloved walking route that takes you past Castle Spelderholt and along the forested edges of the Veluwe. The trail is known for its wonderful variety of scenery and its passage through otherwise private lands.

2. Visit Radio Kootwijk. A short drive from Beekbergen brings you to one of the most extraordinary buildings in the Netherlands. Completed in 1923, this monumental Art Deco radio transmission station was built to communicate with the Dutch East Indies. Known locally as "the Cathedral" or "the Sphinx," it stands in splendid isolation amid the Kootwijkerzand, the largest active sand drift in Western Europe, covering 700 hectares of surreal, almost desert-like terrain.

3. Explore the Bruggelen Estate. This lesser-known estate near Beekbergen features a park forest created in the early 20th century with exotic tree species. The blue hiking trail passes through areas where foxes, deer, and pine martens roam, and archaeological features like ancient burial mounds dot the landscape.

4. Soak at Thermen Bussloo. Just a short drive from Beekbergen, this wellness resort offers thermal baths and spa treatments. It is the perfect way to recharge after a day spent hiking or cycling through the Veluwe.

5. Discover the Veluwe's paper mill heritage. At the Papierfabriek de Middelste Molen, you can explore the history of papermaking through guided tours of a working mill. This connects directly to Beekbergen's own milling past and offers a hands-on cultural experience you will not find on the typical tourist trail.

Nearby Highlights Worth a Day Trip

Beekbergen's location makes it an ideal base for exploring the wider Veluwe and Gelderland region. Here are some standout destinations just a short journey away:

• Paleis Het Loo: Only about 5 miles by road from Beekbergen, this former royal palace was built in 1685 for William III and served as a summer residence for the Dutch royal family for over 300 years. It now operates as a museum with stunning baroque gardens, royal stables, a coach house, and changing exhibitions.
• De Hoge Veluwe National Park: One of the largest nature reserves in the Netherlands, featuring an extraordinary mix of forests, heathlands, and sand dunes. Inside the park sits the Kroeller-Mueller Museum, which houses the second-largest Van Gogh collection in the world alongside an impressive sculpture garden.
• Apenheul: Located in Apeldoorn, this unique primate park allows visitors to walk among free-roaming monkeys in a natural woodland setting.
• The Loenermark Sheepfold: Near Loenen, you can witness traditional sheep herding with working sheepdogs, a practice that has deep roots in the Veluwe's pastoral history.

Practical Notes for International Visitors

Beekbergen is located at approximately 52.16 degrees north latitude and 5.96 degrees east longitude, in the Central European time zone. The currency is the Euro (EUR). English is widely spoken across the Netherlands, so international guests will find communication easy.

The village is reachable by car via the A1 and A50 motorways, and Apeldoorn railway station connects to the national rail network. From there, bus services run to Beekbergen. For guests arriving from the UK, the Eurostar to Amsterdam or a ferry crossing combined with a drive through the Dutch countryside makes for a scenic journey.

The Veluwe is a year-round destination. Spring brings blooming heather and wildflowers. Summer is ideal for cycling and swimming. Autumn offers dramatic skies and the annual red deer rutting season, when stags can be heard bellowing across the forest. Winter transforms the landscape into a hushed, frost-covered wonderland perfect for long walks and cozy evenings.

More Than a Holiday, an Experience

Beekbergen is not the kind of place that shouts for attention. It whispers. It invites you to slow down, breathe in forest air, and rediscover what makes a holiday truly restorative. Whether you are drawn by the pull of ancient forests, the echo of steam whistles, the stories etched into wartime memorials, or simply the joy of doing nothing in a beautiful setting, this Veluwe village delivers. Book a rental now and let Beekbergen surprise you in ways you did not expect.