Het Leesten - meaning “small valley” or “gully” - is located on the Veluwe on a height of about 50 meters. This region was pushed up during the Ice Age, and Het Leesten lies in a valley that was created after the ice melted.

The landscape has a rich history. There are places where gravel and sand used to be extracted, and gullies can be seen that are reminiscent of iron mining in the Middle Ages. There are also traces of former human habitation, including a burial mound from Roman times.

Het Leesten is nowadays a nature reserve - managed by Staatsbosbeheer, a Dutch government organization for forestry and the management of nature reserves - that is characteristic for the Veluwe. The landscape offers a unique combination of nature and history.