Nature reserve Ginkelse Heide
The Ginkel Heath is a beautiful nature reserve near Ede. Here you can wander over the vast heathland and woods all year round. Would you like to walk, cycle, mountain bike, fly a kite near the sheepfold, go horse riding or spot wildlife? The Ginkelse Heide is also the habitat for many red deer, wild boar, sheep and roe deer. Experience the peace and quiet and the fantastic views!
You may know the name Ginkel Heath from the history books. Apart from being an impressive nature reserve, it is also a historical location. During Operation Market Garden in the Second World War, hundreds of Allied parachutists landed on the Ginkel Heath. Every year these airborne landings are re-enacted and recollected in Ede during the Airborne commemoration in September. A real must-see!
Airborne Ginkelse Heide Ede - BezoekEde
AIRBORNE LANDINGS ON THE GINKELSE HEIDE
The Ginkel Heath was the site of a battle for freedom in the Second World War. On the 17th of September 1944 around 2,200 allied paratroopers landed here. Operation Market Garden was an attempt to capture the bridges near Arnhem and to end the war. You can re-live that day every year during the Airborne commemoration in Ede, next to the Airborne-monument alongside the N224.
Read more about the airborne landings
THE GINKELSE HEIDE IN BLOOM
The Ginkel Heath is known for its extensive heathland. Various types of shrub grow here. In Ede, you will find Scotch heather, bell heather and even the rare crowberry heather and bog-rosemary You can enjoy this all year round.
From mid-August to mid-September, the heather is even more breathtaking. Then the Ginkel Heath is in bloom and the bushes turn purple. The flowering period is also the perfect time for walking or cycling on the Veluwe.
Spotting wildlife on the Ginkelse Heide
On the Ginkel Heath lives wild red deer, boar, roe deer, foxes and mouflons. During your walk in the Veluwe, come face to face with the local inhabitants? Follow a walking route to a wildlife observation post or set off with the forester. He knows exactly where the best game can be spotted.
Sheepfold in Ede
Other animals that roam about on the Ginkel Heath are sheep. The Ginkelse Hei sheepfold on the Verlengde Arnhemseweg is home to a small flock. With a bit of luck you will encounter the sheep on the heath! In spring you can visit the lambs. Or go to the shearing festival in June. Here you can see how the sheep are sheared in a traditional way, using hand shears.
"45 kilometres of bridle paths, connected by 13 junctions."
The varied nature around Ede is perfect for going out on horseback. There is a large network of bridleways in a continuous stretch of countryside. The bridleways around Ede are located in the Veluwe and are owned by the municipality of Ede, Staatsbosbeheer, Geldersch Landschap en Kastelen, Natuurmonumenten, Stichting Het Luntersch Buurtbos and private estate owners.
Must sees at the Ginkel Heath
AIRBORNE-MONUMENT
This impressive monument commemorates the airborne landings on the Ginkel Heath.
Veluwe Nature Centre
Go and visit the Veluwe Nature Centre.
WILDLIFE SPOTTING
Natuur in Ede - Het Nationale Park de Hoge Veluwe
© Het Nationale Park de Hoge VeluweGo on a discovery tour and spot the Big Five of the Veluwe.
YOUR VISIT TO THE GINKELSE HEIDE
Are you coming to enjoy the tranquillity, flora and fauna in Ede? It will be a definite success! You will find the Ginkel Heath to the east of Ede, next to the N224 (Verlengde Arnhemseweg). The heath lies within cycling distance of Ede-Centre.
At the Ginksel Heath sheepfold on the Wijde Veldweg is a car park. From here you are close to the Airborne Memorial and Juffrouw Tok family restaurant (you can park there too). There is another car park at The Veluwe Nature Centre on the Groot Ginkelseweg. Various walking routes depart from here and you can also enjoy a drink.