Posbank-Carolinahoeve

Hiking Trail Posbank-Carolinahoeve

Fairy-tale beautiful. This is how the 7-kilometer Hiking Trail Posbank-Carolinahoeve presents itself on this wintry morning. The subdued December light, the last remnants of ground mist, give everything an almost magical atmosphere: the heath, the forest, the Koningsweg, the panoramic views over the Veluwezoom.

Forest and Heath
Via a narrow winding sandy path, I step directly into the walking landscape from the parking lot at the Posbank. On summer days, it can be (too) crowded here. On this December morning, I have the path to myself. 
I gaze over the hilly heathland of the Veluwezoom. The mist has blurred the horizon. The landscape seems endless. I walk past varied forest and along vast heath fields.

Marked Hiking Routes
The 90-meter-high Posbank on the Veluwezoom is the starting point for several marked hiking routes. They are laid out by the nature conservation organization Natuurmonumenten. The Posbank-Carolinahoeve hiking route is the longest of the three at 7 kilometers. Halfway along the route, you will pass the Carolinahoeve. An inn in the middle of the forest, accessible only on foot or by bike.

Koningsweg
A little further on, the route leads into the forest. I walk along winding paths through a varied deciduous forest. After a while, I reach the Koningsweg: a long, straight forest lane between two rows of tall beeches. Once created as a hunting path by King Stadtholder William III. The Veluwe was a favorite hunting area for him.

Resting Point Carolinahoeve
This path between the imposing beech trees seems endless. But after certainly hundreds of beeches, a green field appears in the distance. I have arrived at the Carolinahoeve. The original Carolinahoeve was built in 1851 as a rest stop for traveling merchants. It is still a resting point, but now for walkers and cyclists.

Wind Twister
I walk past a row of uprooted trees. A windstorm in 2019 was stronger than the old trees. Natuurmonumenten has decided to leave them as they are because birds and other small animals are happy with the shelter they now provide.

'Prominent Location'
The Haverkist. That is the name that horse lover Daan Modderman gave to the restored ranger's house. The house is now listed as a monument due to its 'extremely prominent location in an open spot on the edge of the Onzalige Bossen'.

Paths
With a firm climb, I arrive back at the Posbank. A beautiful finish to the circular walk follows, with panoramic views over the rolling Veluwezoom. I walk past yellow blooming gorse and see in the distance various other paths that invite me to walk here more often.