Guide · Veluwe · All year
The Veluwe is the largest continuous land-based nature area in the Netherlands: a mosaic of forest, heathland, drifting sand and stream valleys. Nowhere else in the country gives you such a good chance of seeing wild mammals. This guide covers which animals live there, where to see them and how to do so without disturbing them.
The Veluwe’s big six
| Animal | Chance of seeing it | Best moment |
|---|---|---|
| Red deer | Good, especially at wildlife observation points | Dusk; the rut in September–October |
| Wild boar | Good; signs of rooting are everywhere | Dusk; in spring with striped piglets |
| Roe deer | Very good, also along forest edges | Early morning and evening |
| Red squirrel | Very good, during the day | Autumn, when it stores food |
| Badger | Tricky; mainly active at night | Summer evening near a sett (from a distance) |
| Wolf | Small; wolves are shy | More in our wolf guide |
The Veluwe is also home to mouflon, foxes, pine martens, black woodpeckers and, in the stream valleys, the kingfisher.
Where are the animals easiest to see?
- De Hoge Veluwe National Park: large and varied, with viewing spots. The park charges admission and has fixed opening hours.
- Wildlife observation points of Natuurmonumenten and Staatsbosbeheer: fixed lookouts where you can watch animals without disturbing them.
- Forest edges and heathland: at dusk roe deer and red deer come out of the woods to graze.
- Excursions with a ranger: often your best chance, because the guide knows where the animals are.
Some parts of the Veluwe are closed at certain times, for example during the breeding season or the rut. Check the land manager’s website before your visit.
The Veluwe through the year
| Spring | Striped wild boar piglets; young badgers emerge; birds in full song |
| Summer | Purple heather in August; the roe deer rut; roe kids and red deer calves |
| Autumn | The red deer rut; squirrels gathering nuts; mushrooms |
| Winter | Animals easier to see in bare woods; tracks in snow or mud |
More month by month in our seasonal calendar.
How to behave in nature
| Distance | Stay on the paths and never approach animals |
| Feeding | Never feed wild animals, wild boar included; it makes them pushy |
| Dogs | Keep your dog on a lead, especially in spring and in wolf areas |
| Young animals | A roe deer kid alone in the grass has not been abandoned: don’t touch it |
| Wild boar | A sow with piglets can defend her young fiercely: keep well away |
Frequently asked questions
Questions about wildlife on the Veluwe
Which wild animals live on the Veluwe?
Among others the red deer, wild boar, roe deer, badger, red squirrel, mouflon, fox, pine marten and, for some years now, the wolf.
Where can you see the most animals on the Veluwe?
At the wildlife observation points, in De Hoge Veluwe National Park and along forest edges and heathland at dusk.
What is the best time to see animals?
Early in the morning and in the hour before sunset, when most mammals are active.
Are wild boar dangerous?
Normally not: they avoid people. A sow with piglets can react fiercely if you come too close, though. So always keep your distance and never feed them.
Are there wolves on the Veluwe?
Yes, wolf cubs have been born on the Veluwe since 2019. The chance of seeing one is small. Read more in our guide to the wolf in the Netherlands.
Habitat · The Netherlands
