NL
The Veluwe combines rugged nature, several off-lead areas and dog-friendly places to stay within a short driving distance, making it an ideal destination for a driving holiday with your dog. You’ll find vast forests, heathlands and recreational lakes where dogs are often welcome, as long as you follow the local rules for each area. Discover below what the Veluwe has to offer and prepare your holiday with your dog properly.
Why the Veluwe is suitable for dogs
The Veluwe is a nature reserve with a lot of variety. Forests, heath, drifting sand and recreational areas alternate. For dogs this means plenty of space to walk, sniff and move around. The Veluwe is centrally located in the Netherlands, which keeps travel time limited and means your dog doesn’t have to spend too long in the car.
Many holiday homes and bungalow parks accept dogs. Some accommodation offers extra facilities such as an enclosed garden or direct access to woodland. This makes it easier to take your dog out several times a day, without having to drive anywhere. For many travellers planning a driving holiday with their dog, this is an important advantage.
What you need to know: in many nature areas dogs must be kept on a lead. Some areas are an exception. These are specifically designated off-lead areas or areas with special exemption rules. Always check the rules for each location in advance.
‘ Please note: in warm periods the sand can become very hot, so make sure you bring enough water. ’
Off-lead areas and dog-friendly spots
There are several areas where dogs are allowed off the lead. Below is an overview of well-known locations with plenty of space for your dog.
Het Leesten
Het Leesten is a popular off-lead area on the edge of Putten. You’ll find a vast forest and heath area where dogs can move around freely. There is also a small dog beach on the recreational lake. Nearby cafés and restaurants often accept dogs, usually providing a water bowl or a dog biscuit.
Rozendaalse Veld
Rozendaalse Veld has lots of open space. In various places your dog is allowed off the lead, and it is especially quiet in the early morning. The area consists of heath, sand drifts and forest paths. Check the signs on site for the exact off-lead rules.
Kootwijkerzand
Kootwijkerzand is a unique drifting sand area with a desert-like character. It is an off-lead area where dogs can run freely. Note: in warm periods the sand can become very hot, so make sure you bring enough water. The area is accessible from several car parks around Kootwijk.
Zandenplas
Zandenplas is a recreational lake near Harderwijk. Outside the swimming season, dogs are welcome on the beach and in the water. It is a good place for dogs that love swimming. In the summer months stricter rules apply, so check in advance.
Bussloo and Heerderstrand
Recreational areas such as Bussloo and Heerderstrand are known for being dog-friendly. In certain seasons dogs are allowed off the lead and can go into the water. Check the current rules before you go, as these can vary per season.
Choosing dog-friendly accommodation
When booking holiday accommodation in the Veluwe there are a few things to pay attention to. Many bungalow and holiday parks accept dogs, but the conditions differ per location.
- Ask in advance whether dogs are welcome on the grounds and whether they are allowed off the lead
- Ideally choose accommodation with an enclosed garden. This is useful if your dog is easily overstimulated.
- Check whether the property borders directly on forest or heath, so you can go for walks without using the car
- Enquire about any extra charges for pets
Some parks don’t have an off-lead area on the site itself, but do have direct access to walking routes in nature. That makes it easy to take your dog out several times a day.
Practical preparation for the journey
Good preparation makes for a more pleasant journey. Below are a number of points to bear in mind.
What to take with you
- Plenty of water and a proper water bowl for on the road and during walks
- Snacks and your dog’s usual food, including enough for the first day at your destination
- A comfortable place to sleep such as a blanket or bed for in the car and at the accommodation
- A long lead for walks in on-lead areas and a short lead for busy places
- Poo bags and, if needed, a towel for wet dogs
How to plan your route
Plan breaks during the drive so your dog can have a toilet stop and stretch their legs. The Veluwe is within about an hour and a half’s drive from many places in the Netherlands, but even a short journey calls for regular stops. Choose a quiet time of day to avoid traffic, especially if your dog is easily overstimulated.
Make sure your dog is safely secured in the car. Use a dog seatbelt, a crate or a safety net, depending on your dog’s size and behaviour.
‘ In most nature reserves dogs must be kept on a lead. ’
Walking with your dog in the Veluwe
The Veluwe has dozens of walking routes through forests, across heath and past ponds. Many routes are suitable for dogs. Do bear in mind the rules for each area.
Lead requirements and exceptions
In most nature reserves dogs must be kept on a lead. This is to protect wildlife, nesting birds and other visitors. In off-lead areas your dog may move around freely, but basic rules usually still apply. You must pick up dog poo and you must keep your dog under control.
Always look at the signs at the entrance to a walking area. Rules vary per season or per sub-area. In the breeding season, usually from March through July, stricter rules apply.
Combine forest, heath and water
Plan a mix of different environments. Forest walks offer shade and variety, heathlands provide wide open space and views, and recreational lakes are perfect for dogs that love to swim. Combine different spots to keep the holiday interesting for both you and your dog.
Places to eat and days out with your dog
Various cafés and restaurants in and around the Veluwe accept dogs. Many terraces provide a water bowl and some even offer a dog biscuit. Check in advance whether dogs are welcome, especially at indoor venues.
Museums, estates and other attractions also have different rules. Some grounds accept dogs on a lead, others do not. Plan your days out in advance and check the rules on the location’s website.
Important to remember
The Veluwe is dog-friendly, but the area does require awareness of the rules. The presence of wildlife, nesting birds and other visitors calls for respect and responsibility. Keep your dog under control, even in off-lead areas, and always pick up poo.
Bring enough water, especially on hot days. Dogs can overheat quickly, particularly in drifting sand areas such as Kootwijkerzand. Plan walks in the morning or evening to avoid the heat.
Choose accommodation that suits your needs and those of your dog. An enclosed garden, direct access to nature and dog-friendly facilities will make your stay more comfortable.
‘ plan your next trip with confidence. ’
Discover more on Traveler Tips
On the Traveler Tips website you’ll find much more information about driving holidays with dogs, routes through the Netherlands and practical tips for planning your trip. Whether you’re looking for other dog-friendly destinations, handy packing tips or information on regulations for travelling with pets, you can find it on the website and plan your next trip with confidence.
Frequently asked questions
Essential preparations include booking dog-friendly accommodation (preferably with an enclosed garden) and checking the local rules in advance for on-lead and off-lead areas in the Veluwe. Take plenty of water, snacks, a proper water bowl and a comfortable sleeping spot for your dog in the car and at your destination. Make sure you have both a short and a long lead, an ID tag if needed, and check whether nearby nature and recreational areas allow dogs (and in which season). Finally, plan walks and any swimming spots (such as suitable recreational lakes) that match your dog’s energy level and how much they enjoy water.
Make sure your dog is safely secured in the car, for example with a special dog seatbelt, crate or travel kennel, and put down a soft blanket so they can lie comfortably. Bring enough water, snacks and a familiar blanket or toy to help reduce stress during the drive. If needed, plan a short break on the way so your dog can go to the toilet and stretch their legs. Before you set off, check the rules in the Veluwe for on-lead and off-lead areas, so that you can enjoy a relaxed walk once you arrive.
The best dog-friendly accommodation in the Veluwe can often be found at small-scale holiday parks and nature cottages on the edge of forest or heath, so you can start walks straight from your doorstep. Look for places that explicitly allow dogs and preferably offer an enclosed garden or direct access to an off-lead area. For a conscious traveller, sustainable parks or eco-lodges in or near areas such as Het Leesten, Rozendaalse Veld or around recreational lakes like Bussloo and Heerderstrand are often a very good fit. Always check the dog rules for each nature reserve and the sustainability measures of the accommodation in advance.
Beautiful dog-friendly walking routes in the Veluwe include the off-lead area at Het Leesten (with dog forest, small dog beach and café terraces where dogs are welcome) and Rozendaalse Veld, where you have extensive heath and forest and many stretches where dogs are allowed off the lead. For dogs that love water, Zandenplas, Bussloo and Heerderstrand are very appealing, where dogs can visit parts of the beach outside the regular swimming season and are sometimes allowed into the water. These places are easy to combine into a car trip with several walking and swimming stops. Always check the current on-lead and off-lead rules for each area on site.
In the Veluwe you should be aware that in many nature reserves your dog must be kept on a lead, unless the area is explicitly designated as an off-lead zone. Well-known off-lead and dog-friendly areas include Het Leesten, Rozendaalse Veld, Zandenplas, Bussloo and Heerderstrand (often with seasonal or zone-specific rules). The rules can differ per area, for example regarding off-lead walking and swimming, so it’s important always to follow the local signs and site rules. Check in advance, online or with the land manager (for example Staatsbosbeheer or Natuurmonumenten), what the current dog rules are for the area you want to visit.
