Hoge Veluwe and the Hanseatic IJssel
Van Gogh in the forest, a royal palace, heathland and the old Hanseatic towns on the IJssel, in the green heart of the Netherlands.
- Distance
- 152 km (95 mi)
- Driving
- 2 h 06 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 8
- Countries
- Netherlands
- Updated
- July 21, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 152 km (95 mi) with 8 stops, from Utrecht to Arnhem. About 2 h 06 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Netherlands · More road trips from Lisse
Route description
From Utrecht the A12 (E35) takes you east to Ede, from where it is a short drive to the Otterlo gate of Hoge Veluwe National Park. Inside, the Kröller-Müller Museum and its sculpture garden sit among pine woods, heath and drifting sand; the park charges entry and closes its gates in the evening.
Continue north to Apeldoorn for Paleis Het Loo and its gardens, then east to the IJssel. Deventer and Zutphen were rich Hanseatic trading towns, and both have compact medieval centres with merchant houses and churches; Zutphen’s chained library is a rare survivor.
Follow the IJssel south to the Posbank near Rheden, a heath with the best views in the region and a good place for a walk. Finish near Arnhem at the Open Air Museum, and in the city itself at the John Frost Bridge, the bridge too far of 1944.
The Veluwe has many well-equipped campsites and small farm sites, which makes it an easy first trip in a motorhome. Late August, when the heather flowers, and autumn, when the red deer rut, are the best times; watch for wildlife on forest roads at dusk.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Utrecht
Netherlands - 259 km
Kröller-Müller Museum
HistoryOtterlo, NetherlandsA major Van Gogh collection and a large sculpture garden in the middle of Hoge Veluwe National Park. Leave the car at a park gate and use the free white bicycles.
- 322 km
Paleis Het Loo
HistoryApeldoorn, NetherlandsThe Dutch royal family’s former summer palace, with restored Baroque gardens laid out in strict symmetry and a new underground museum wing.
- 419 km
Deventer
Netherlands - 517 km
Zutphen
Netherlands - 622 km
Posbank
ViewsRheden, NetherlandsRolling heath on the edge of the Veluwe with long views over the IJssel valley. Best in late August, when the heather flowers purple; Highland cattle graze the slopes.
- 710 km
Netherlands Open Air Museum
HistoryArnhem, NetherlandsFarmhouses, windmills and workshops moved here from all over the country, spread through woodland on the edge of Arnhem. Allow half a day.
- 84 km
Arnhem
Netherlands
Suggested stages and overnight stops
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Utrecht → Kröller-Müller Museum · 59 km · 0 h 49 minOvernight nearby, for example: Beek en Hei (3 km); Minicamping De Kwekerij (4 km).
- Day 2: Kröller-Müller Museum → Deventer · 41 km · 0 h 34 minOn the way: Paleis Het Loo.Overnight nearby, for example: Camperplaats De Brandkoele (6 km); minicamping de Adelaar (9 km).
- Day 3: Deventer → Arnhem · 52 km · 0 h 43 minOn the way: Zutphen, Posbank, Netherlands Open Air Museum.Overnight nearby, for example: Warnsborn (3 km); Oosterbeeks Rijnoever (4 km).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and October. Cold, short days in January–February. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
Practical notes for the road
- Netherlands: No motorway tolls for cars. 100 km/h on motorways between 6:00 and 19:00.
Road rules and fees change. Check official sources before you travel.
FAQs
How long is Hoge Veluwe and the Hanseatic IJssel?
3-day road trip of about 152 km (95 mi) with 8 stops, from Utrecht to Arnhem. About 2 h 06 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Hoge Veluwe and the Hanseatic IJssel?
We suggest 3 days: about 2 h 06 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Hoge Veluwe and the Hanseatic IJssel start and end?
It starts in Utrecht and ends in Arnhem.
Which countries does Hoge Veluwe and the Hanseatic IJssel pass through?
Netherlands.
Where can you camp along Hoge Veluwe and the Hanseatic IJssel?
OpenStreetMap lists 437 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: Camping de Vliert, Campererf Achter de Sloot and Camperplaats de Kersenpit.
When is the best time for Hoge Veluwe and the Hanseatic IJssel?
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
