Route of the Turf

*Cycle safely on the Brabantse Wal!*

Due to the Corona measures, the sights along the route may be closed.

From the thirteenth to the beginning of the eighteenth century, West Brabant was largely dominated by peat. In the summer months, the peat was dug out in the extensive peat areas, left to dry and then transported via peat canals to the peat heads in Bergen op Zoom and Roosendaal, among others. The'Route van de Turf\\\' connects these peat heads for cyclists and walkers via centuries-old peat canals.

Along the way you will become acquainted with old peat canals such as the Moervaart, better known as the Zoom, the Nispense Vaart and the Natte or Elderse Turfvaart. At the height of peat extraction, there were 350 kilometers of peat canals in western North Brabant and the Belgian Kempervennen. All dug by hand. Sometimes a peat canal crossed a stream, such as the Molenbeek near Nispen, and an aqueduct was therefore necessary.

The route also crosses old peat areas where a peat layer several meters thick used to be present. The large and small peat poles along the route tell the story of 5 centuries of peat extraction. And from time to time you can enjoy a poem by the Belgian writer Geert de Kockere at a peat pole. He himself calls these poems'literatures\\\'. They are short, poetic texts about nature. They often contain a nod to humanity and fun puns.

The cycle route can be followed entirely with the cycle junctions. The entire route is also marked with the symbol of the peat shovel. In Bergen op Zoom the route also has sand-colored asphalt.

If you are looking for more tips for a fun day out, drop by VVV Brabantse Wal, Steenbergsestraat 8, Bergen op Zoom, 0164 277 482, www.vvvbrabantsewal.nl