🌳Forest hike to the mystical dancing trees of the Speulderbos! (Veluwe) 17km🌳

This gorgeous hike of 17 km through the woods of the Speulderbos with its dancing trees is one of the nicest forests walks of the Veluwe, one of my favourites! The route goes through different historic (hunting) roads deep in the woods passing by the cosy Boshuis restaurant where we will have drinks/lunch. This time of the year, the forest will be in all shades of warm greens, yellows, orangey reds and golden brown with leafs falling now and then and mushrooms everywhere.

Gathering between 10:45-11:15 @ café Kaneel en Kruimels (3/5 minutes walk from train station NS Ermelo) for a quick tea/coffee before starting the hike. The hike ends at the village of Garderen, where we take the bus to train station NS Ermelo or Putten (20 minutes).

Speulderbos: forest of the dancing trees
The mysterious forest near the hamlet of Drie, called 'the forest of the dancing trees', looks like a primeval forest with burial mounds, mossed-covered oaks, and half-rotting tree trunks.
One story tells that the people from Putten and Speuld, used to cut down the most beautiful, straight trees for centuries to build barns and houses, and left the crooked ones in the forest.

Solse Gat (hole)
We will also pass through the mysterious Ice-Age loam called Solse Gat (hole), a large pit between the hills, named after the sun god Sol. The legend tells that a monastery full of devilish monks disappeared by miracle. The monks were used to have a black mess middle of the night. Witches and ghosts joined the spectacle and they kept dancing, singing and cursing until the early morning. Once, a tremendous winter storm raged over the region and swallowed the entire monastery as punishment.
This is another legend which explains the name of the forest with the 'dancing trees'.

Boshuis restaurant Drie
After ca. 10 km we will have drinks/lunch at the cosy Boshuis (forest house) restaurant in Drie, which is famous for its delicious traditional home-made cuisine! Hopefully we can get a nice spot nearby the fire place.
See https://www.boshuisdrie.nl/

Garderen village
A winding path over a hill will take us to the village of Garderen, where we can have a drink before taking the bus back to train station NS Ermelo or NS Putten.

Quotes of the day:
🍁'Autumn Is a Second Spring when Every Leaf is a Flower.'🍁
-Albert Camus-

🍂October sun... Blanket the world with your gentle gold. Let the leaves feel your warmth one more time. Before they fall forever. So they'll remember. 🍂

Come and join this hike, having a great time hiking in between the dancing trees with magnificent autumn colours!

Notifications:

• Meet up contribution fee: Eur 4,- for early birds before 13 October/ Euro 5,- from 13 October to be paid directly when signing by tickie (you can change the amount):
• https://www.ing.nl/particulier/betaalverzoek/index.html?trxid=pMBJXNbaYzkVrxJcA9kt1uRZjIbLUqhF
• We walk fast at (5 km an hour average) with 2/3 breaks, you should be fit for it and used to long distance walks of -+ 15 to 20 km ;-).
• Be aware that the hike will take the whole day and that the ending time is approximate.
• Bring sufficient water, snacks and lunch, although we might stop at a restaurant.
• I advise to wear comfortable hiking shoes and gear with layers and a rain coat.
• Carpe Diem is an amateur activity group, participating is at your own risk.
• The hike might be cancelled or postponed in case of extreme bad weather or few people signed up. Check messages for last-minute updates the evening before.
• Please only sign up if you are attending to join. And change your RSVP if something unexpected occurs. Last-minutes cancellations are not appreciated and NO SHOWS will be recorded! No refund. Thank you.