Guide · Veluwe · All year
A wildlife hide is the easiest way to see red deer, wild boar and roe deer on the Veluwe. You sit hidden behind a wooden screen or in a hut, overlooking an open field where the animals come to feed in the evening. Some hides are always open, others you visit only with a ranger. This guide lists them all.
Short answer: freely accessible hides include De Elsberg and the Herikhuizerveld in Veluwezoom National Park, Hoeve Delle near Loenen, the screen on the Tongerenseweg near Vierhouten, ’t Eperholt near Epe and the hides in De Hoge Veluwe. Guided only: the Hemellootjes wildlife arena near Vierhouten and De Dellen near Heerde. Go at dusk, in the last hour before sunset.
Freely accessible hides
| Hide | Where | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| De Elsberg | Veluwezoom National Park, near Laag-Soeren | The best-known hide: red deer, roe deer, wild boar, foxes and badgers. The car park at the Elsberg has been closed to cars since July 2025, so expect a decent walk. Busy during the rut |
| Herikhuizerveld | Veluwezoom National Park, near Rheden | Viewpoint over rolling heath with the Herikhuizen ruin; easy to reach |
| Hoeve Delle | Near Loenen | Hide by a former drifting-sand area with high dunes and forest |
| Tongerenseweg screen | About 1 km outside Vierhouten | Past the cattle grid the road becomes a dirt track with a car park; the screen is opposite |
| ’t Eperholt | Near Epe | Viewing wall over a field often visited by wild boar, roe deer and red deer; three signposted walks |
| Wekeromse Zand | Near Wekerom (Ede) | A quiet reserve with active drifting sand; the 3 km wildlife walk passes a viewing spot |
| De Hoge Veluwe | De Hoge Veluwe National Park (admission) | Three covered wildlife hides, four bird hides and five wildlife meadows; in the evening you can drive the wildbaan and stop at lay-bys |
Guided only
| Hide | Where | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Hemellootjes wildlife arena | Forest near Vierhouten (Staatsbosbeheer) | A clearing with a pond where red deer, wild boar, roe deer, fallow deer and mouflon appear; only with a Staatsbosbeheer guide |
| De Dellen | De Dellen estate near Heerde | Evening excursion with a ranger; ages 12 and up, book online |
When to go
| Time of day | At dusk and early in the morning; during the day the animals hide in the forest |
| Rut | Mid-September to early October; see red deer rut on the Veluwe |
| Spring | In May and June there are young animals, such as striped wild boar piglets |
Watch without disturbing
- Be quiet, even on the way to the hide.
- Wear dark clothing that doesn’t rustle and no perfume. Silence your phone.
- Stay in the hide or on the paths, and never feed the animals.
Frequently asked questions
Wildlife hides on the Veluwe
What is the best wildlife hide on the Veluwe?
De Elsberg in Veluwezoom National Park is the best known. Quieter options are ’t Eperholt near Epe and the Tongerenseweg screen near Vierhouten.
Which hides are free?
The Veluwezoom hides, Hoeve Delle, the Tongerenseweg screen, ’t Eperholt and the Wekeromse Zand are free. De Hoge Veluwe charges admission.
What time is best for seeing wildlife?
At dusk, in the last hour before sunset, and early in the morning.
Also read wildlife on the Veluwe and the wolf in the Netherlands, and see the seasonal calendar.
Habitat · The Netherlands
