Near Arnhem - Amsterdam Bruges and Brussels - page 268

nature films when you enter (a favorite is the 20-minute movie
about park deer).
Eating at the Visitors Center: The good Restaurant de
Koperen Kop serves up surprisingly tasty, self-service cafeteria
food, with indoor or outdoor seating (€8-12 plates, daily May-Sept
9:30-18:00, April and Oct 9:30-17:30, Nov-March 9:30-16:30).
St. Hubertus Lodge —his dramatic hunting lodge, at the north
end of the park, is another popular excuse for a bike ride. Once the
countryside residence of the modern art-collecting Kröller-Müller
family, it's perched on the edge of a lake with a characteristic tower
looming overhead. Designed to resemble the antlers of a stag,
this structure evokes the story of St. Hubert, who supposedly dis-
covered a crucifix miraculously dangling between a deer's antlers
(sporadic tours, in Dutch only). The 45-minute walk around the
adjacent lake is dotted with sculptures. Combining this lodge, the
Kröller-Müller Museum, and the Visitors Center makes for a fun
6.5-mile biking loop.
Otterlo
The village of Otterlo is located just outside the Hoge Veluwe
National Park entrance that's closest to the Kröller-Müller
Museum. While not exciting, it's a fine place to spend the night
near the park (see “Sleeping,” below). Otterlo is a tiny town with
tandem-bike tourists zipping through on their way to the park. The
town also has cafés and a meager TI (100 yards south of the town
center, open Sat 10:00-12:30 year-round, also May-Sept Mon-Fri
10:00-15:30, ATM in lobby, Arnhemseweg 14, tel. [phone],
www.vvvotterlo.nl—in Dutch only).
Arrival in Otterlo: Note that there are two different bus stops
in Otterlo. “Otterlo Rotonde” is at a roundabout on the busy road
that skirts the edge of town; from here, it's about a five-minute
walk into the town center. “Otterlo Centrum” is right in the middle
of town (described below). Buses #105 (from Arnhem) and #106
(into the park itself) stop at both Rotonde and Centrum, while bus
#108 (from Ede-Wageningen and trains to Amsterdam) stops only
at the Rotonde stop.
From Otterlo Centrum, follow the directional signs: The TI
is along the main road, and the park is down the major intersecting
road. From here, it's about a 15-minute walk to the park entrance
(or hop on bus #106).
SLEEPING
In Otterlo, near the National Park Entrance
Consider spending the night in Otterlo if you'd like to have a
relaxing time at the museum, the park, and nearby Arnhem.