The best gravel rides in De Valouwe

There are nearly 90 gravel bike trails in De Valouwe, offering a wide range of options for different skill levels. You'll find everything from easy loops to more challenging routes.

De Valouwe features a diverse landscape with extensive forests, open heathlands, juniper bushes, and sand drifts. The paths are generally hard-packed gravel, but you'll also encounter varied sections through woodlands and heath. A notable feature is the gravel climb 'De Belt', one of the few genuine gravel climbs in the Netherlands.

Yes, De Valouwe offers several easier routes suitable for families. For instance, the Winding trail through the Edese Bos – Across the Edense Heide loop from Roekel is an easy 19.7-mile (31.8 km) path that winds through forests and heathlands, providing varied scenery without excessive difficulty.

You can explore several interesting spots. The Immenweg bike and horse/forest trail offers a long, scenic ride through forests and heath. For a unique challenge and view, tackle the Gravel climb 'De Belt', which is an old landfill site now a green hill with a viewpoint. You might also encounter the tranquil Forest Pond.

Yes, many of the gravel routes in De Valouwe are designed as circular loops. For example, the Radio Kootwijk viewpoint – View of Radio Kootwijk loop from Roekel is a popular circular trail that passes the historic Radio Kootwijk building.

The area is highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.5 stars from over 150 reviews. Reviewers often praise the diverse landscape, which includes beautiful forests, open heathlands, and challenging gravel sections like 'De Belt'. The varied scenery and well-maintained paths are frequently highlighted.

De Valouwe offers good gravel biking conditions throughout much of the year. Spring and autumn provide pleasant temperatures and beautiful scenery with changing foliage or blooming heath. Summer is also popular, though trails can be busier. Winter riding is possible, but be mindful of potential colder temperatures and occasional wet conditions on some paths.

Absolutely. The Viewpoint over heathland – Kootwijkerzand loop from Roekel is a 36.6-mile (58.9 km) trail that leads through expansive heathland and sand drifts, offering wide-open vistas. The 'De Belt' climb also provides a rewarding viewpoint.

While specific parking details vary by trailhead, many routes, such as those starting from Roekel, often have designated parking areas nearby. It's advisable to check the starting point of your chosen route on komoot for the most accurate parking information.

Yes, you can find facilities along some routes. For example, the Rest Stop De Bult is a designated facility that can be found on certain trails, offering a convenient place to pause and refresh during your ride.

Yes, De Valouwe has several easy-rated gravel trails perfect for beginners. The Cycle Path Through the Veluwe – Kraaikamperweg unpaved road loop from Roekel is an easy 17.7-mile (28.5 km) route with minimal elevation gain, making it a great starting point for new gravel bikers.

One of the longer routes is the Viewpoint over heathland – Kootwijkerzand loop from Roekel, which spans 36.6 miles (58.9 km) and typically takes around 4 hours to complete, offering an extensive exploration of the heathlands and sand drifts.