Putten is surrounded by heathland, forests, border lakes and polders. The landscape shapes the choice of excursions: you might focus on longer trails, far-reaching views, or a specific cultural or natural theme. When planning, it helps to distinguish between destinations by their character. An 8-kilometre hiking route, an observation tower with 235 steps and a pick-your-own activity offer very different ways to experience Putten and its surroundings.
Hiking and cycling through varied landscapes
There are numerous hiking routes in Putten and the surrounding area, including forest trails and Klompenpaden (clog paths). The varied natural landscapes provide a diverse backdrop for extended hikes and cycle rides. Cycling routes pass through expansive polders or varied forests. If the landscape is your main consideration, you can choose between cycling through polders and forests or exploring the different walking routes on foot. Each named route adds its own theme to these options – from changing landscapes to traces of the past.
Hiking routes with their own character
The 8 km Oldenallerpad leads through the castle forest, across farmland, along hedgerows and over heathland. If you’re looking for this mix of landscapes, the route offers woodland, agricultural land, hedges and heath. Veluws Verleden has a different focus: the walking route passes through forests and heathland and by several prehistoric remains. You can therefore choose between a route with a stated length and varied landscapes, and a walk whose distinctive feature is its prehistoric traces.
Another walking route is Putterbos. It leads through Speulderbos on the Veluwe, a woodland area with a rich cultural history, ancient beeches and burial mounds, as well as larches, oaks and Douglas firs. While Veluws Verleden combines forests, heathland and prehistoric remains, Putterbos also draws attention to the tree species and cultural history of Speulderbos. The routes therefore differ not only in name but also in the landscape and historical themes they explore.
Scenic views and cultural history
Bostoren Schovenhorst is 40 metres high and has 235 steps. From the top, the view stretches across Amersfoort, the Veluwe and the wind turbines in the polder. The observation tower offers a different focus from the hiking trails, which centre on changing landscapes or historical traces.
Landgoed Oldenaller is home to a castle dating from 1655. The interior is not open to visitors, but the castle can be admired from outside. If you’re interested in the building, you can view it from the outside, but should not plan to visit the interior.
More ways to enjoy nature
The Delta Schuitenbeek nature area can be viewed from the Zeedijk. At Pluktuin het Platteland, visitors can pick their own vegetables and fruit, as well as flowers. Bosbad Putten has an outdoor swimming pool with a slide and diving boards. These destinations offer different ways to spend time outdoors: enjoying a view of the landscape, picking your own produce and flowers, or visiting an outdoor pool with specific water attractions. You can choose your outings according to the experience you’re looking for, rather than treating all the destinations as variations of the same hike.
For the broader travel overview: Putten.
