Discover Ermelo: heathland trails, Roman traces and Staverden

Ermelo is known as a green and blue municipality on the Veluwe and along the Veluwe Rand Lakes. Heathland, forests, archaeological traces and activities on the water offer different ways to enjoy a stay. You can focus on trails in nature, cultural heritage or trips to Staverden. Experiences range from wide sandy paths to a challenging mountain bike trail.

Ermelosche Heide: nature and sheep-keeping tradition

Ermelosche Heide is a protected Natura 2000 area and is used largely as a nature reserve; it is open for recreation during the day. The wide sandy paths are open for walking. As access to the paths may change due to nature conservation measures, check the latest notices before your walk. The visitor centre and sheepfold are located amid several cycling and walking junctions. The sheepfold is home to an average of around 300 sheep.

Schaapskooi Ermelo runs short and longer walking excursions throughout the year, covering cultural history, the formation of the landscape, and the animals and plants found there; dates and topics vary. A three-hour walk with the shepherdess and her dogs is limited to a maximum of four participants. Dates and booking conditions may change, so it is worth checking the current offering before making plans.

The festivals also add seasonal highlights: Lammetjesdag is held annually, usually in March. On this one day of the year, the public can walk through the sheepfold and see and pet the lambs. The annual Wol- en Schaapscheerfestijn in May combines a wool market with demonstrations of spinning, felting and carding.

Roman traces and cultural heritage

The heathland's monument site contains 28 burial mounds dating to the Neolithic and/or Bronze Age, as well as remains of a temporary Roman army camp. The outline of the Roman marching camp near Ermelo is still visible; it is considered the only known Roman marching camp in the Netherlands. The burial mounds and Roman camp remains bring different historical periods together at the same site. The Cultuurhistorie walking route also passes cultural heritage sites in the Sprielderbos and Speulderbos forests on the Veluwe.

Museum Het Pakhuis invites visitors to explore the past hands-on; its exhibits also cover the Romans and Germanic peoples. A cycling tour along the Roman marching camps is linked to a VR experience there. Exhibitions and the programme may change.

Out and about: walking, cycling and water

The renovated Ermelo mountain bike trail is 23 kilometres long and follows challenging singletrack, including across the extensive Ermelosche Heide and through Speulderbos and Sprielderbos. Check the route details before setting off. Another walking option is De Duintjes near Garderen: the approximately six-kilometre, red-marked route goes over dunes and through woodland.

Veluwe aan Zee (Strand Horst) offers the opportunity to swim. At the beach, Telstar Surfschool provides lessons in a surfing sport on safe, shallow water; lesson availability may vary by season. Before visiting, check local swimming notices and the surf school's latest schedule.

Landgoed Staverden: trails, plants and buildings

Landgoed Staverden lies between Ermelo and Elspeet on the north-western slope of the Veluwe, in a green, wooded setting. More than 40 rare and endangered plant species grow on the estate. The walking paths in the park area of the Staverden routes are suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs, but include some changes in elevation. If these paths are important to your plans, check the current conditions.

Kapel Staverden is a distinctive building near Kasteel Staverden. In addition to weekly services, it is also used as a wedding venue. Keeping white peacocks on Landgoed Staverden has been a tradition since around 1400. The estate brings together landscape, plant diversity and cultural highlights.

Food and drink and getting around

Stadsbrouwerij Staverden is located in the coach house of Kasteel Staverden near Ermelo and offers brewery tours and tastings; check visitor packages before booking. Wijngaard Telgt also offers vineyard tours, excursions and wine tastings. Check the arrangements for visiting in advance.

For information on attractions, museums, events, dining, accommodation, nature and shopping, the municipality directs visitors to Ermelo Buitenleven. Ermelo station is on the NS rail route between Putten and Harderwijk. This order is shown for the timetable period from 14 December 2025 to 12 December 2026; check live departures before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Ermelo, Neder-Betuwe, West Maas En Waal, Berkelland, Culemborg, Ubbergen, Lochem, Beuningen.

For the main travel overview: Gelderland.