Wisselse Veen / Tongerense Heide

What you find here

Wisselse Veen and Tongerense Heide lie just east of Epe, on the transition between the Veluwe and the IJssel valley. It is a small-scale area: a stream valley with peaty soil, edged by heathland and low vegetation. Not the kind of landscape that makes an immediate impression in a photograph. You need to settle into it a little. But when you do, you start to see how well the detail works here. Reeds along the stream, birch trees on the heath, the colour of dead grass against purple bloom.

When to go

August is the best month for the heather bloom. The Tongerense Heide turns purple, and in soft morning light that works really well. Come early, because the light flattens quickly after the first hour. Autumn is at least as interesting: autumn colours in the birches, misty mornings over the stream valley, and a quieter atmosphere than in summer. In fog you sometimes get a low layer hanging just above the peat. That is the moment.

Compositions and focal lengths

For landscape shots, a focal length around 24 to 50mm works well. You look for lines in the landscape, a small stream, a path, the edge of the heath. The area is small, so you do not need to walk far to find a spot. For macro, this is a rich location. Heather plants, spiderwebs in the morning, lichens on the ground. A 90 or 100mm macro lets you get close without casting a shadow. Watch the background: the heathland gives beautiful soft out-of-focus areas when you are close enough to your subject.

Practical

You park at the Tongerenseweg in Epe, from where you walk into the area. Access is free and there are walking paths. The terrain is managed by Staatsbosbeheer. Drones are in principle not permitted in Natura 2000 areas like this without a permit. Stick to the paths, especially during the heather bloom and breeding season. It is not a busy area, but in August the bloom attracts walkers. Starting early gets you not only the best light, but also the quiet.

Sources and further reading

• Staatsbosbeheer
• Nationaal Park Veluwe
• Wikipedia: Wisselse Veen