Heerde lies at the northernmost edge of the Veluwe, between Zwolle and Apeldoorn. The IJssel lies to the east. The Landgoed Petrea estate near Heerde offers a particularly varied landscape: on the slopes of the Woldberg, coniferous forest, heathland, and avenues of oak and beech trees come together. The area provides habitats for wild boar, roe deer and numerous bird species.

Forest, heathland and trails

The Renderklippen also combine open heathland and forest. This hilly area covers 223 hectares and is crisscrossed by signposted walking and cycling routes. At the Renderklippen, the Schaapskooi is home to a flock of around 150 rare Veluwe heath sheep, which are kept there from June to January. In De Dellen, signposted walking trails lead through a 454-hectare nature reserve. Visitors may spot wild boar, red deer, badgers and pine martens. The Zwolse Bos offers a different landscape: alongside forest, it has heathland and several small bog pools. Animals that can be seen or heard there include green woodpeckers, tawny owls, ravens, wild boar and roe deer.

Walkers can choose from five Klompenpaden trails in Heerde, Veessen, Vorchten and Wapenveld. They run mostly along unpaved paths, through farmland and along historic routes. The 13-kilometre Paddenpad connects the landscapes of the Veluwe and the IJssel Valley around Wapenveld. The route passes through forests, crosses the push moraine, follows pastures, farms and drainage ditches, and winds through floodplains. Sights along the way include monuments, the Kloosterbos and the Klein Zwitserland heathland.

The 14-kilometre Vosbergenpad leads across the Landgoed Vosbergen estate, past springs and former watermills, through streams and the Zwolse Bos, and up to the heathland on the Tonnenberg. Both routes are similar in length, but showcase different aspects of the area: the Paddenpad focuses on the connection between the Veluwe and the IJssel Valley, while the Vosbergenpad takes in an estate, waterways, forest and heathland. High water can affect access to the Paddenpad; before setting out, check current conditions on the Klompenpaden and local access to the Vosbergenpad.

By bike and by the water

An extensive cycle junction network stretches across the Veluwe and along the IJssel, and is used by most routes. Cyclists can cross the municipality from north to south on a cycle path built along the route of a former railway, as well as on cycle paths along the dikes of the Hoogwatergeul. There are sweeping views along the way. A paved cycle path also runs around the Heerderstrand; the lake takes about 45 minutes to walk around. The cycle path heads west to the forests of De Dellen and the heathland of the Renderklippen.

The Wijheseveer ferry connects Wijhe and Heerde across the IJssel. It carries pedestrians, bicycles, motorcycles, cars and trucks weighing up to 25 tonnes. Heerderstrand has a beach and clean bathing water; the swimming lake covers more than 20 hectares. Nearby, the volunteer-run Kozakkenveer ferry takes cyclists from Veessen to the Duursche Waarden nature reserve in Overijssel, where visitors can climb an observation tower.

Estates, mills and museums

Landgoed Bonenburg is a historic estate in Heerde with a history dating back to the 17th century. It covers more than 75 hectares; much of the grounds are open to the public for walking, while the island around the house is private. The historic Landgoed Vosbergen estate includes several historic buildings. Kasteel Vosbergen originally dates from the late 15th century and took its present form in 1623. The castle can be viewed from all sides from the outer moat, and most of the estate is open for walking. Guided summer walks are also available.

At the Watermolen van Rakhorst, a free digital discovery tour using a smartphone and QR codes takes visitors around the grounds and through the historic mill. The self-guided route passes a stream, a millpond and the waterwheel, among other sights. At the Nederlands Zuivelmuseum in Wapenveld, children can milk a life-size cow, take part in a farm-themed scavenger hunt and use a children's milk laboratory. The Heerder Historisch Museum in Villa Jacoba showcases Heerde art, archaeological finds, a Beken- en Sprengenkamer, and a historic notary's office.

Vrieze's Erfgoed also brings history and landscape together: the three-hectare visitor site features information panels, an account of the history of a Halifax bomber that crashed, a bee house, kitchen gardens, fields and grazing sheep. Molen de Vlijt mills wheat using wind power and sells flour products, including pancake flour, at its regional shop on Saturdays. As seasonal museum opening hours and the walking programme may change, check opening hours and dates in advance.

Discover more destinations: Wapenveld, Heerde, Veessen.

Return to the main travel overview: Gelderland.