If you’re an introvert like I am, you sometimes need to retreat from the world to recharge. There’s arguably no better place to enjoy the silence of nature than the Veluwe, the most forested part of the Netherlands. There are many walking and cycling routes that will take you along hills of heath, large sand drifts, and unexpected wildlife encounters. One of my favourite Veluwe areas is the Posbank, located in Veluwezoom National Park, near the city of Arnhem. Under the right weather conditions, it’s a photographer’s heaven.
Heath is usually in bloom from mid August to mid September, making it the best time of the year to visit the Posbank.
Go there before sunset
If you’ve been photographing for a while, you probably know that the best time for shooting landscapes is magic or golden hour: the period shortly after sunrise or before sunset. This holds true especially for the Posbank, because the soft sunlight brings out the beauty in the purple heath that covers its hills. Heath is usually in bloom from mid August to mid September, making it the best time of the year to visit the Posbank.
I took these photos on a September evening in 2016.
Get up early for some misty autumn magic
During autumn (September-December), the sun rises at a relatively humane hour (7-9 a.m.) and you’ll have a decent chance of catching the Posbank covered by fog when you head out early. This makes for some wonderful photo opportunities, as the world awakens in silence and the first light of day falls across the hills.
Bear in mind, though, that the weather in The Netherlands tends to be very unpredictable, and the Posbank loses a lot of its magic under a dreary grey sky. Check the weather forecast the night before, to save yourself a disappointing photo expedition.
I took these photos on an early September morning, with the heath still blooming.
How to get there
The Posbank can be reached by car by following directions to “Paviljoen de Posbank”. There are two parking areas there. If you don’t have a car, take the train to Rheden and just follow the Schietbergseweg. It will take you right to the Posbank. It’s a 30 minute walk to get there, and the hills can get damp when it’s misty, so bring waterproof walking shoes. There are a few decent hotels and B&Bs in Rheden, in case you want to spend a night there.