Onderduikershol Valtherbos, War memorial in Valtherbos forest, Netherlands
Onderduikershol Valtherbos is an underground shelter and memorial stone located within the dense Valtherbos forest near Valthe village. The site remains accessible through a marked forest path from the Melkweg road parking area.
The shelter emerged during the occupation when families needed to escape persecution. Between 1942 and 1945, it provided secret refuge for approximately sixteen people while local communities supported their survival.
This site reflects how ordinary local people responded to persecution by offering shelter at great personal risk. It serves as a reminder of everyday courage during a dark period in history.
Wear waterproof clothing and sturdy shoes when visiting, as the forest path can become slippery during wetter months. The parking area is easily accessible from the Melkweg road between Klijndijk and Valthe.
Those protecting the refugees used a petroleum stove instead of wood to avoid smoke signals that could expose the location. They also collected snow for water to prevent leaving visible traces of inhabitation.
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