Visitors to Wolfheze can discover natural and cultural history in specific places. South of the village is a nature area with one of the oldest forests in the Netherlands; the Wodanseiken and archaeological traces give walks a historical dimension. Other themes range from old Wolfheze to Operation Market Garden. When planning your visit, you can first decide whether to focus on forests and wildlife or on architectural and military history.

Forest, wildlife and the ecoduct

The Wolfheze nature area lies directly south of the village and includes one of the oldest forests in the Netherlands. Six of the seven reptile species found in the Netherlands occur there; distributions can change over time. The Wolfhezerheide ecoduct is accessible to wildlife and hikers alike. On both sides of the ecoduct are ponds where frogs, toads and salamanders can breed. Before your visit, check whether any local path restrictions apply.

Walks and the Wodanseiken

The historic walking route near Wolfheze passes through a varied natural area, by the Wodanseiken and Bronze Age burial mounds. At the start of this route stand five Wodanseiken, which are about 450 years old. Around 1850, they were popular with landscape painters from the Oosterbeek School, who gave the trees the name Wodanseiken. The “Laag Wolfheze” walking route is marked with a blue arrow. The Wolfheze circular walk passes through the Wolfheze woods, by the Wodanseiken, ancient pines, undulating heathland and the Heelsumse Beek. It is partly marked with yellow and yellow-red arrows. Check the relevant trail markings before setting out. The historic route brings together old trees and burial mounds in its description; the circular walk also mentions pines, heathland and the stream.

History from the Wolvenbos to 1944

Old Wolfheze, also known as Wolvenbos, was destroyed by the Spanish in 1585 during the Eighty Years’ War. Twenty burial mounds have been found around Wolfheze, mainly along the stream. Local history therefore spans the Bronze Age burial mounds, the destruction of old Wolfheze and the events of 1944.

The Glider Museum showcases gliders and the courageous people involved in Operation Market Garden. The operation took place from 17 to 25 September 1944 in and around Arnhem. The museum is located at Camping & Chaletpark “Lindenhof”, Wolfhezerweg 111–113, 6874 AD Wolfheze, Netherlands. If you would like to include the museum in your visit, check current visiting options in advance.

Monuments and directions

The Wolfheze station building and its associated storage building are municipal monuments. The surviving station building is the only preserved station building in this series. The starting point of the Wolfheze nature area is just over a kilometre from Wolfheze NS railway station.

Discover more destinations: Heelsum, Doorwerth, Oosterbeek.

Return to the main travel overview: Renkum.