Vennenroute Groote Heide and Leenderbos

This cycle route along numerous fens starts at Het Wapen van Westerhoven. You make a nice round around Valkenswaard and cross the Dommel. Then you cycle into the municipal forests of Waalre, where you will discover the Meertjesven. You will also pass several fens on the Groote Heide, which are part of the Diepmeerven nature reserve: the Witven, the Diepe Meerven and the Drooge Meerven. Heath sheep were first washed before shearing in Witven, hence the name. During a warm period, the fens sometimes dry up because they are not that deep. Apart from heathland, you will see a lot of shifting sand, pine, oak and birch here. Via the beautiful old village of Leende and the extensive Leenderbossen you cycle back to your starting point, past the old water mill in Venbergen.