A 16th-century castle, a water-powered paper machine and a 15-metre-high waterfall give Loenen its distinctive character. This offers a choice when planning your trip: cultural history, landscapes or wildlife watching—three themes you can consider separately or together.

Castle history and water

Construction of Kasteel Ter Horst began around 1557. Arnhem mayor Wijnand Hackfort (1522–1563) had the castle built as a summer and hunting residence. Guided tours are available year-round at the estate and Kasteel Ter Horst. You can visit the grounds, gardens, castle, chapel and cellars. This is a good starting point for a visit focused on history; check the current tour dates in advance if you are planning your day around one.

The history of paper is also tied to water: the Loenense Molenbeek flows through Loenen and still powers the paper machine at the Middelste Molen. The Bekenroute starts and ends at the Middelste Molen on the Apeldoorns Kanaal. The Loenense Beek flows right through Loenen. Together, the castle, paper machine and route offer different ways to discover the cultural history of the town.

Waterfall and trails

The Loenense Waterval is 15 metres high and is described as the highest waterfall in the Netherlands; there are also a few smaller waterfalls along the stream. The “Vrijenberg langs Loenense Waterval” walking route passes through woodland and a varied, semi-open landscape, and goes by the waterfall. It is marked with green arrows along the route.

The Loenense Enk is a historic Esdorp landscape of rolling fields, flower-rich farmland and semi-open woodland. The Loenermark combines extensive forests and rolling heathland with red deer, fallow deer, roe deer and wild boar. From April to December, the Loenermark flock of sheep heads out onto the heath with its shepherd. The Enk’s fields and woodland, and the Loenermark’s forests, heathland and wildlife, therefore offer different ways to explore nature.

The wildlife observation post in the Loenermark is freely accessible and wheelchair-friendly. A paved path leads to it from the car park on Groenendaalseweg. Another nature destination is Harmanahof: its butterfly garden can be reached via sandy paths behind the Reformed Church in Loenen.

Heritage railway and estate

Station Loenen is a stop on the VSM heritage steam railway. The VSM Koninglijn runs between Apeldoorn and Dieren, passing through varied woodland and meadow landscapes between the Veluwe and the IJssel Valley. If you are planning a trip, check the timetable in advance.

Rare Brandrode cattle are kept at Open Erf De Groote Modderkolk, and the open barn is open daily. The grounds also include a tea room, farm shop, vegetable garden and an area with farm animals. It is also a starting point for walking and cycling routes. Nature, animal husbandry and several visitor attractions come together here in one place.

Planning a stay in Loenen

There are a few things to bear in mind when planning your timing: guided tours are available year-round, while the flock of sheep heads onto the heath from April to December. When choosing a particular accommodation, check its location in relation to the places you want to visit before fitting several visits into one day.

Discover more destinations: Hoenderloo, Hoog-Soeren, Uddel, Beekbergen, Beemte Broekland, Apeldoorn, Nieuw-Milligen, Ugchelen.

Go to the main travel overview: Apeldoorn.