Veluwe Power Hikers

This June, Veluwe Power Hikers invite you to celebrate the longest days of the year surrounded by nature’s beauty. We’ll venture deep into the Veluwe for a weekend of hiking, campfires, and peaceful evenings under the stars — in the wild heart of the Netherlands.

Highlights of the weekend include:

• The Leuvenumse Beek — one of the most beautiful and pristine streams in the Netherlands. Thanks to ancient clay layers from the last ice age, this rare lowland stream still winds naturally through the forest, forming a network of brooks, marshes, and waterways that overflow during heavy rains.
• The Hulshorsterzand — a true desert landscape where we’ll take a break on what might just be the softest, naturally-formed bench in the world (at least, it feels that way!).
• The Dancing Trees Forest — a magical part of the Veluwe where ancient beeches twist and bend into strange, flowing shapes, as if caught mid-dance. Walking through this forest feels like stepping into a living fairytale, where every tree seems to have a story to tell.
• The mystical Solse Gat — according to legend, a monastery once stood here until it was swallowed by the earth because of the monks' wicked ways. The site remains a magnet for seekers of hidden energies and local folklore. To this day, the town of Putten continues to try to prevent gatherings of witches in the area on Walpurgis night (this is not a joke! Google it).

☀️ Why this weekend is special: the summer solstice
June 21 is the longest day of the year—the sun at its highest, the forest at its fullest. We’ll mark the solstice with long hikes, evenings around the fire, and quiet moments under the open sky.

🚶‍♂️ Weekend plan
We’ll explore two distinct Veluwe forest areas, each with its own character.

• Saturday (June 21): 28 km Solstice Hike through the Ermelose heathlands, into the cool, shady Leuvenumse creek forest, and across the open sands of the Hulshorsterzand.
• Sunday (June 22): 10 km Forest Walk — a gentler route through the enchanting ‘dancing trees’ forest, where the twisted trunks seem to whisper ancient secrets. We will also visit the mysterious Solse Gat.

We’ll stay at Logeren bij de Boswachter: Ermelo, a peaceful campsite surrounded by the ancient Veluwe forest.

🗺️ Arrival & Meeting Point
Please arrive between 11h30 and 12h00 to pitch your tent and eat something. We start hiking at 13h sharp after lunch.

Sprielderweg 207, 3852 MK Ermelo
https://maps.app.goo.gl/qbhFeTdC35XvHrr86

💰 Price: €34 early bird / €39 regular

• Campsite fee
• Travel & logistics of the organizer
• Fully guided hikes

Early bird price is €34 if paid before May 5 at 23:59. After that, the price is €39. Payment via Tikkie—your spot is confirmed once payment is received. Please include your Meetup name in the payment note if it’s different from your real name.

Ever walked across the bottom of the sea? 😮 We’re heading out for an epic wadloop adventure to Schiermonnikoog — and trust me, it’s no walk in the park. This is one of the toughest and most rewarding hikes in the Netherlands: slippery mudflats, knee-deep silt, tidal streams, stunning views, and a huge sense of achievement at the end. You in?

This one’s only for experienced, seriously fit hikers — 19 km of tough terrain that demands endurance and focus. But you’ll be in safe hands with professional guides who know the sea, the tides, and every channel we’ll cross. 🌊

📍 When & Where?
Start: 06:00 sharp — don’t be late!
Meeting point: Free parking lot near restaurant Het Booze Wijf, Lauwersoog; A coach will take us to the hike’s starting point

Return trip: A private boat departs from Schiermonnikoog at 13:30 and brings us back to Lauwersoog

✅ What’s Included?
– Fully guided wad hike on Saturday, August 16th (18 km), led by the professional Wadden Experts
– Relaxed evening hike on Friday, August 15th (5 - 10 km), in Lauwersoog hosted by yours truly 🌙🥾
– Return trip by chartered boat
– A best-effort carpool schedule — I’ll try to connect drivers and passengers
– You’ll be added to a WhatsApp group at least a month in advance for updates, packing tips, and carpool coordination
– I’ll also send reminders and practical tips in the weeks before the hike (gear, shoes, food, weather, etc.)