Unpaved motorcycle riding on the Veluwe: where it's allowed and how to plan a route

The Veluwe has the densest network of unpaved sand and forest tracks in the Netherlands and, at the same time, the most protected nature and military terrain where you specifically may not ride. This guide explains why, what you'll ride, and how to plan an unpaved Veluwe route that seeks out legal public roads and keeps nature and military areas out of your route.

Short answer: on the Veluwe you ride unpaved over public sand and country roads that are not closed by signs. But a large share of the Veluwe's sand and forest tracks are not public roads: they lie in Natura 2000 nature (Staatsbosbeheer, Natuurmonumenten, Geldersch Landschap, the Kroondomein) or on military terrain and are closed to motor vehicles. Ride only on unpaved public roads, respect signs, closures and rest areas, and stay out of nature and military zones. Loose sand demands technique. This is general information, not legal advice.

Why the Veluwe has so many sand roads

The Veluwe is the largest continuous push-moraine area in the Netherlands: hills of sand and gravel pushed up by land ice during the ice age. On that poor, dry sandy soil lies an extensive landscape of coniferous and deciduous forest, heath and drift-sand plains. Precisely because the ground here is sand rather than clay or peat, historically the densest network of unpaved roads and tracks in the country developed: firebreaks, forest roads, old sheep droves and sand roads between the villages. For unpaved motorcycle riding, the Veluwe is therefore literally the richest area in the Netherlands for sand under your wheels.

That is also the pitfall: many of those tracks look unpaved and tempting, but they are not all public roads where you may ride a motorcycle. The main rule from our guide on where you can ride unpaved ("allowed unless forbidden" for public roads, and "forbidden unless opened up" for non-public paths) is extra important on the Veluwe, because the share of non-public nature paths is so large here.

Nature on the Veluwe: many paths are closed to motorcycles

Large parts of the Veluwe are protected as Natura 2000 and managed by land managers such as Staatsbosbeheer, Natuurmonumenten, Geldersch Landschap & Kastelen and the Kroondomein Het Loo (Crown Estate). Most sand and forest tracks within those areas are not public roads: they are open to walkers and sometimes cyclists, but closed to motor vehicles, often with a "no entry" or "closed to motor vehicles" sign, a barrier or a bollard. Riding there is not allowed.

The reason is the fragility of the area: heath, drift sand and old forest recover slowly, and the Veluwe is important habitat for red deer, wild boar and roe deer. Parts are designated as rest areas and can be seasonally or temporarily more restricted (for example during the rut or the breeding season). We deliberately give no fixed list of closed paths: openings and closures change per land manager, per decision and per season. Assume the category (nature area = probably closed to motorcycles) and let the signs on the ground be decisive.

Watch the land manager's signs. On the Veluwe you'll often see the familiar access signs of Staatsbosbeheer, Natuurmonumenten and Geldersch Landschap. Is there a pictogram for walkers/cyclists, a barrier, or "verboden toegang" (no entry)? Then it is not a public road for motorcycles. In doubt? Don't ride there.

Military areas on and around the Veluwe

The Veluwe also has military training areas, among them around Oldebroek (the Artillery Shooting Range / 't Harde) and around Deelen air base. These areas are off-limits outside opened hours and can be dangerous. Access is regulated with signs, barriers and red flags during exercises. Never ride in here outside the indicated opening, even if a sand track seems to lead invitingly onto the terrain. As with nature: recognise and respect the category, don't gamble on a specific opening.

What you'll ride: surfaces on the Veluwe

Because the Veluwe is so varied, the surface changes a lot, sometimes within a single ride. Here is what you typically encounter on the public unpaved roads, and what it means for your riding style:

Surface	Rideability	Where you find it / access
Loose sand (drift sand, dry sand road)	Challenging: stand up, throttle on, look ahead; bogs down when dry	Drift-sand plains and dry sand roads; many lie in nature areas and are therefore often closed, so ride only the public part
Forest track (forest road, firebreak)	Usually good: firm ground, occasional sand or mud patches	Everywhere in the forests; note: within managed nature areas often not a public road
Gravel	Pleasant and fast: firm, smooth surface	Built forest and farm roads; access depends on the road's status
Semi-paved (shells, grit, grass-concrete tiles)	Easy: almost like asphalt, rides well even wet	Cycle and country roads, farm accesses; often public, but check signs

Simplified overview as general information, not legal advice. Whether you may ride somewhere depends not on the surface but on the legal status of the road and the signs on the ground.

Loose sand demands technique

The Veluwe is known for its sand, and that is exactly what makes the area both fun and tricky. Loose, dry sand, especially in drift-sand areas and after a dry spell, can quickly bog down an adventure or enduro bike. A few rules of thumb: stand up, keep enough throttle so the front wheel goes light, look far ahead instead of at your front wheel, and lower your tyre pressure a bit for more grip. Don't plan your first Veluwe ride at maximum sand: keep it short, pick a starting area with plenty of forest and gravel roads, get used to the surface and build it up. Forest tracks, gravel and semi-paved surfaces are a lot more forgiving to begin with.

Planning an unpaved Veluwe route with Offroad Pilot

With Offroad Pilot you plan a route that seeks out the Veluwe's unpaved public roads and keeps protected nature and military terrain out of your route by default:

Set a start and end point on the Veluwe (for example at a village on the edge) or leave the destination out for a loop; the route then automatically seeks out as much sand and forest track as possible.
With the Adventure slider you set how much longer than the direct line your route may be; you see the percentage unpaved and the surface per segment, so you know in advance how much loose sand you'll get.
Protected nature (Staatsbosbeheer, Natuurmonumenten, Geldersch Landschap, Kroondomein) and military terrain stay out of your route by default.
Download the GPX for Calimoto, Kurviger, TomTom Rider, OsmAnd or Gaia, and ride on sight. The route is a tool, not a permission.

Plan an unpaved Veluwe route →

Riding responsibly on the Veluwe

The Veluwe is popular and busy, and the unpaved network is under pressure: the more riders go where they shouldn't, the sooner land managers close paths. So ride calmly, because this is green laning, not a motocross track. Stay on public roads, respect signs, barriers and rest areas, give walkers and cyclists room, and leave no trace. Avoid loose drift sand where it runs through nature areas, and watch for wildlife: on the Veluwe you can easily meet red deer or wild boar. That way, unpaved riding on the Veluwe stays possible for everyone.

Terms

Push moraine (stuwwal): Ridge of sand and gravel pushed up by land ice during the ice age. The Veluwe is the largest in the Netherlands and the reason for its sandy soil.
Drift sand (stuifzand): Open, loose sand without fixed vegetation. Beautiful to see, but tricky to ride and often protected nature.
Natura 2000: European network of protected nature areas. Large parts of the Veluwe fall under it; many paths there are closed to motor vehicles.
Rest area (rustgebied): Zone that is (sometimes seasonally) extra protected for wildlife. Access can be temporarily restricted there.
Kroondomein Het Loo: Estate on the Veluwe with its own access rules; many paths there are not public roads for motorcycles.
Public road (openbare weg): A road open to everyone. Broadly determines whether you may ride there with a motor vehicle; the surface is irrelevant.

Further reading: where can you ride a motorcycle unpaved in the Netherlands and green laning in the Netherlands.

Frequently asked questions

Can you ride a motorcycle unpaved on the Veluwe?

On unpaved roads that are public roads and not closed by signs, you may in principle ride a motorcycle, on the Veluwe too. But on the Veluwe specifically, a large share of the sand and forest tracks are not public roads: they lie in Natura 2000 nature (Staatsbosbeheer, Natuurmonumenten, Geldersch Landschap, the Kroondomein) or on military terrain and are closed to motor vehicles. Ride only on unpaved public roads, follow the signs and stay out of nature and military zones.

Why does the Veluwe have so many sand roads?

The Veluwe is the largest push-moraine area with poor sandy soil in the Netherlands, with extensive forest, heath and drift sand. On that dry sandy ground, historically the densest network of unpaved sand and forest tracks in the country developed. Part of it is public road; a large part lies in protected nature or on military terrain and is not freely accessible to motorcycles.

Is loose sand on the Veluwe hard on an adventure bike?

Loose, dry sand, especially in drift-sand areas and after a dry spell, demands technique: stand up, keep the throttle on, look far ahead and lower your tyre pressure a bit. Forest tracks and semi-paved surfaces ride more easily. So don't plan your first Veluwe ride too ambitiously in terms of sand percentage and build it up.

Are there military areas on the Veluwe where you may not ride?

Yes. On and around the Veluwe there are military training areas (for example around Oldebroek and Deelen) that are off-limits outside opened hours and can be dangerous. Always respect the closures and signs. Offroad Pilot keeps military terrain out of your route by default.

How do I plan an unpaved route on the Veluwe?

In Offroad Pilot, set a start and end point on the Veluwe (or leave the destination out for a loop); the route then automatically seeks out as much unpaved as possible. With the Adventure slider you set how much longer than the direct line your route may be. The planner stays on unpaved public roads and keeps protected nature and military terrain out of your route by default. You see the percentage unpaved and the surface per segment, and download the GPX for your navigation.