6 walks over the loveliest wooden walkways in North Brabant
The Brabant countryside is characterised by its many wetlands and marshlands. What better way to make these accessible than with lovely wooden walkways! The wet countryside attracts exceptional species of plants and animals including many birds. You can admire them from the wooden walkways in the most beautiful areas. We have made a list for you of the loveliest wooden walkways in North Brabant.
1. De Moerputten, 's-Hertogenbosch
Walk over an old railway bridge
Walk over an old railway bridge
De Moerputten Nature Reserve, a marshland where they used to extract peat, is on the westside of 's-Hertogenbosch. The 5-kilometre Bridges Route takes you over the loveliest wooden walkways right through this Brabant jungle.
The Moerputten Bridge, a former railway bridge, is an impressive eye-catcher on this walking route. This 600-metre-long railway bridge is a stunning example of industrial heritage from the 19th century.
2. Huis ter Heide Estate
The Huis ter Heide Estate is recommended for a day of walking in the vicinity of Tilburg. It’s a real hidden gem. Not only can you go on lovely walks here, but depending on the season you can also spot many species of birds and you may come face to face with Scottish Highlanders.
It is a wetland where a 250-metre-long wooden walkway enables you to get the other side with dry feet. Simply follow the numbered junctions of the Top Scenic Walking Route Huis ter Heide (11 kilometres). Enjoy the views and let the chirping birds, sound of frogs and colourful dragonflies enthral you.
3. Cartierheide, Brabant Kempen Region
Explore the vast countryside of the Brabant Kempen region. The Cartierheide, close to Eersel, is a stunning heathland with lovely fens. The idyllic stream, Dalems Stroompje, flows through this area. On the 6.5-kilometre TOP Scenic Walking Route Cartierheide, you can see a variety of bird species and feel like you are the only person in the world.
From the wooden walkway, you look out over the heath which blooms and turns a beautiful purple from mid-August to mid-September. Start the route at TerSpegelt in Eersel. As well as being a Nature Gate, this is also a lovely recreational park.
Make a weekend of it:
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TerSpegelt Recreation Park
TerSpegelt Recreation Park
4. Strabrechtse Heide
The largest fen in the Netherlands
The largest fen in the Netherlands
You will find another impressive heathland, De Strabrechtse Heide, in Heeze near Eindhoven. It’s part of De Groote Heide Cross-border National Park, a vast heathlands with stunning panoramas and the largest fen in the Netherlands: the Beuven.
You will encounter wooden walkways on different routes in the Strabrechtse Heide. You can follow the 17-kilometre Rondje Strabrechtse Heide from Heidecafé De Strabrechtse Heide in Heeze. The wooden walkway takes you through the heather garden with two islands, where you are surrounded by the tranquillity of the countryside. You may even meet a shepherd with his flock on the route! A 10-kilometre walk starts from Boscafé Pastoorke van Moorsel in Lierop. For a shorter walk including a wooden walkway, a 5-kilometre route starts from Vennenhorst Nature Gate in Someren.
5. Mastbos Breda
The Mastbos (forest) is around the corner from Breda’s city centre. It’s a wonderful place for walking, whatever the season. Various routes have been marked out, which are also suitable for children. For example, the TOP Scenic Route Mastbos covering five kilometres and the Nature Experience Route where you walk over wooden walkways to a lovely watchtower.
6. De Groote Peel National Park
De Groote Peel National Park is located on the border of North Brabant and Limburg. It is a genuine paradise for nature lovers. Wooden walkways and tree trunk bridges aren’t an excessive luxury to keep your feet dry in this marshland!
Internationally recognised as a ‘wetland’, this area is vitally important for various marsh and water birds. It is a varied nature area with peat bogs, heaths, forests, sand ridges and fens. The starting point of this 3.2-km-long Knuppelbrug Walking Route is Buitencentrum De Pelen (outdoor centre).
"De Groote Peel is a paradise for hikers, but certainly also for children. They can catch frogs, follow the gnome path, climb in high forest watchtowers and walk through the fens across the characteristic tree trunk bridges."
