Hoog-Soeren: Forest, Trails and History

Hoog-Soeren combines a historic cultural landscape with routes through forests and open countryside. If you are looking for a destination with nature and history, you will find several distinct points of interest here: forest development, landscape features, hunting history and memorial sites. Designated route lengths also provide a concrete guide for planning.

Forests and landscape features

Hoog-Soeren is located in the Kroondomeinen Het Loo. The beech and oak forests around the village date from around 1770; they were planted at the time on the orders of Stadtholder Willem V. An older forest history can be seen at Dassenberg: it has been a forest reserve since 1984. As a remnant of an old deciduous forest area, the reserve preserves trees that have stood there since 1730. Different periods in the history of the forest landscape thus come together around Hoog-Soeren.

Those interested in how the landscape was formed can explore this subject on the Geo-wandeling Kroondomein. At several characteristic points, the route covers sandy and gravelly soils as well as varied landforms, including cover-sand ridges and dry valleys. It explains their development over time using basic physical geography. Here, the focus is not only on the forests, but also on the landscape’s features and soils.

Hunting history, monuments and remembrance

In 1677, the Gelderse States granted Stadholder-King Willem III the right to hunt. A hunting lodge was established in Hoog-Soeren. The straight, wide Koningswegen through the surrounding forests provided space for the large hunting party. Hunting rights, the hunting lodge and the roads offer concrete insights into the historic use of the landscape.

Hoog-Soeren has significant cultural and historical value, reflected, among other things, in the large number of national and municipal monuments in the village. A memorial tile in the chapel commemorates three villagers who lost their lives in acts of war during the years of occupation. Alongside the monuments, this memorial site offers a tangible connection to the history of the village community.

Routes and directions

There is a marked 3 km route in Aardhuispark. The 6.5 km Hoog Soeren–Moezenberg walking route passes along impressive avenues, partly grassed sandy paths and narrow, rugged trails. The Hoog Soeren–Dassenberg route offers different scenery: it passes an old water extraction site, runs alongside an extensive heathland and goes through ancient beech and oak forest. The 3 km and 6.5 km route lengths can be compared when planning; the character of the path is also described in detail for the Moezenberg route.

The Hoog Soeren–Moezenberg and Hoog Soeren–Dassenberg routes are closed seasonally. Check in advance which closure period applies to your visit. The Veluwetrail long-distance bridleway also runs through Hoog-Soeren. For visitors seeking recreation, there are benches and cycle paths; wayfinding signs and information boards complete these facilities.

Golf in the Staatsdomein

The Veluwse Golf Club is located in the Staatsdomein Hoog Soeren, part of the Kroondomein Het Loo. The club has a 9-hole woodland course designed by the English golf architect Ken Cotton. Those including golf in their travel interests will find a clearly specified type of course and a named designer here—a distinct attraction alongside the forest and cultural themes.

Discover more destinations: Uddel, Ugchelen, Beekbergen, Hoenderloo, Nieuw-Milligen, Beemte Broekland, Apeldoorn, Loenen

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