Gravel ride around Radio Kootwijk and the Veluwe during Kootwijk’s mooiste gravel event

Route Description

For this gravel ride we took the car to Kootwijk during Kootwijk’s mooiste gravel event. A very well organized event by cycloclub “de Veluwe renners” with a beautiful gravel route to ride. Both gravelnomad Mark and myself rode the event. We started early mornings in February, which made for a cold start. Luckily we were rewarded with some sunshine from about halfway during the ride. 

The Veluwe is one of the Netherlands largest areas of connected Natural parks. This makes it one of the best areas to go for nice long gravel rides. You can honestly ride gravel roads for many kilometers. One path leading into another, opposed to connecting short patches of unpaved roads like we’re used in other areas closer to home.

As for the gravel route during this event: it starts at a campsite (de Meidoorn) which is probably still a good place to start from during summer or holiday season. From here the route heads north towards Putten and soon you’re into the woods riding forest trails. The forests are all connected, so you basically ride one forest into another. Only short paved connections in between, sometimes crossing a main road or small village. 

North of the village of Garderen the route starts heading east towards Kootwijk and the famous radio station at Radio Kootwijk. The radio station is on the Dutch monumental list of cultural heritage and really stands out in the otherwise empty area. The route takes some variations here, going into some single tracks and more loose sand paths, before going into nice long gravel roads into more of the natural parks here. There’s a loop in the route in a way that you pass the old radio station twice. 

After passing Radio Kootwijk for a second time you ride a very long and straight (beautiful) gravel path along the military terrain “Harskamp”. From here you quickly enter familiar roads and return towards Stroe and the campsite where you can rest and fill up again.

Further comments on the event: This is one I would definitely recommend and ride again. It’s well organized with a refill about halfway during the ride. The gravel route is amazing in an already fantastic area to ride gravel anyway. Compliments to the route builder and organization. 

• Tip: Take into account that there are restrictions to parts of the route with regards to riding before sunrise or after sunset.
• Tip: This part of the Netherlands is fantastic for gravel biking. Once you travel here, consider staying another day or two and ride for example Kroondomein het Loo.