Rheden: Nature Trails and Cultural Sites

Explore Rheden from different perspectives: along paths through the forest and beside the water, at historic buildings, and through special experiences such as a ride on a steam train. When planning a stay, it is worth deciding what matters most to you. Nature, culture and seasonal opening arrangements offer different reasons to travel.

Hiking and experiencing nature

One distinctive natural area is Nationaal Park Veluwezoom. The park covers more than 5,200 hectares; forests, heathland, drifting sands and stately country estates shape its landscape. You can hike and cycle there, and there is also an extensive network of mountain biking routes and bridleways. If you are looking for a specific hiking route, consider the Heuven-Beekhuizen Route: it passes through the Heuven and Beekhuizen estates, through forest, past bodies of water and along the banks of the Beekhuizense beek.

The forests of Landgoed Hof te Dieren, Landgoed Middachten and Natuurmonumenten also form a connected area that is well suited to hiking. In Laag-Soeren, there is a wildlife viewing spot where visitors can watch wild animals; sightings are not guaranteed. The Velperwaarden have a different significance in the landscape: they provide an important link for many animals between the IJssel and the Veluwe.

For orientation in the area, Bezoekerscentrum Veluwezoom is near Rheden railway station, and the Posbank is within walking distance. The main VVV office for the municipality of Rheden is in the centre. Visitors can rent bicycles there, and children can play in and around the centre. As visitor services may change, check in advance whether the service you want is available.

Churches, country estates and history

The Dorpskerk in Rheden reflects several building periods: it is originally Romanesque, has a medieval tower and a nave dating from around 1500. It also has two Meere organs from 1816. Another form of historic heritage can be found along the Middachter Allee, a beech avenue dating from 1751.

Kasteel Middachten is open to visitors. Guided tours are arranged on request; on Sunday afternoons, the castle is open to visitors in June, July and August. Opening arrangements are seasonal, so check them before your trip. Concerts, lectures, festivals and markets are also held at Landgoed Middachten; dates vary by season.

Landgoed Hof te Dieren was owned by the royal family in the 17th and 18th centuries. Each year, a limited number of guided tours of the monumental park are offered to small groups; booking is required. These guided visits differ from the walking trails through the connected forests: one provides access to the park, while the other lets you explore the forest area on foot.

In Dieren, listening stone No. 24 of the Liberation Route Europe, at the lock on the Apeldoorns Kanaal, commemorates events from the Second World War. The memorial stone adds a specific place of remembrance to the area’s architectural and landscape history.

Experiences with a character of their own

The Veluwsche Stoomtrein runs between Apeldoorn and Dieren along the more than one-hundred-year-old Koningslijn. The route passes through varied woodland and meadow landscapes. As operating days and timetables vary by season, it is a good idea to check the current timetable before planning your journey.

In Dieren, De Spelerij offers interactive play: visitors can power a carousel by hand, use a crane and bake rolls. This practical activity complements the region’s more observational nature and cultural experiences. When choosing a hotel, consider which of these priorities you want to shape your stay: hikes, visits to historic places or a specific activity. Plan around seasonal opening times and journeys on the dates you intend to travel.

Discover more destinations: Velp, Rheden, Ellecom, Dieren, De Steeg.

Go to the main travel overview: Gelderland.