Cycling straight through the Peel

In the Peel you can take a look at the Deurnsche Peel & Mariapeel, two remnants of what was once a vast raised bog area. This route also takes you through the only two peat colonies in the South of the Netherlands.

The Peel
The route starts at Eethuis and Cafetaria't Veen. You can have a drink and a snack on the cozy terrace. At the same time you immediately see a piece of cultural history: the Helenavaart. A private canal that was used for peat transport. The route takes you along the Deurnsche Peel (which is on your left in Brabant) and the Mariapeel (which belongs to Limburg). In this unique nature reserve you can still experience the tranquility of times gone by.

Peat colony
Together with Helenaveen, Griendtsveen is the only peat colony in the South of the Netherlands. Both towns enjoy a protected village view, here you can experience what a peat colony used to look like. Further on you pass through the heathland mining village of America. In the countryside you drive on car-free roads between the grasslands and arable lands and through the forests. Helenaveen was founded in 1853 by the NV Maatschappij Helenaveen. The village was named after the director's wife: Helena.