Modderkolk / Loenermark

Heather, water and quiet on the eastern Veluwe

The Loenermark is one of the quieter corners of the Veluwe. No busy car parks, no rows of people with tripods. What you do get: expansive heathlands, small ponds like the Modderkolk, and a landscape that comes into full colour in August and September. The purple heather draws bees, butterflies and photographers, but it stays manageable here. You can just get on with your work without anyone walking through your frame.

When to go

August is the main month for the heather bloom. The exact timing varies from year to year, but count on the second half of the month as the peak period. Getting up early pays off: the light is soft and low, and you have a chance of dew on the heather. That makes macro photography especially worthwhile. In autumn the colour palette shifts to browns, ochres and greys. Less spectacular at first glance, but there is something honest about that muted atmosphere. Mist in October or November is a bonus.

Compositions and focal lengths

For wide views of the heather I like to work with a focal length around 24 to 35mm. That gives you a sense of space and lets you include the sky. Look for a low camera position, at least 30 centimetres above the ground, so the heather adds structure in the foreground. The Modderkolk offers mirror reflections when the wind drops, ideally in early morning light. A longer focal length, 85 to 200mm, works well to compress the heath and emphasise texture. For macro, the heather flowers themselves are the subject, but keep an eye out for insects too. A 90mm or 100mm macro gives you enough distance to avoid disturbing everything.

Practical

The Loenermark falls under Staatsbosbeheer and is freely accessible. There are small car parks at the edge of the area near Loenen. The terrain is unpaved, so sturdy shoes are not an overreaction. Drones are not automatically permitted in this area, so check the Staatsbosbeheer rules before you go. Dogs must be kept on a lead during the breeding season. At weekends during the heather bloom it gets busier than you might expect here too, so photographing on a weekday gives you more peace and quiet.

Sources and further reading

• Staatsbosbeheer – Loenermark
• Staatsbosbeheer – Recreatieregels en drones
• Wikipedia – Loenermark