Pannenhoef, Rijsbergen and Breda

706 hectares of heathland, marshland and fens characterise the area between Zundert, Etten-Leur and Rijsbergen, but the Ulvenhoutse Bos near Breda should not be forgotten either. The landscape of the Pannenhoef nature reserve was created by extracting peat and developing the area. For three centuries, people left their mark on the area, who also raised parts of the nature reserve that was created as part of job creation. The fens have a rich variety of vegetation. Bog asphodel, marsh gentian, marsh violet, small skullcap and spotted orchid are just a few of the many plants that grow in the marshy Pannenhoef and the banks of the fens are densely overgrown with, among other things, water purslane, floating rush and blue sedge. On the heath remnants, which are regularly removed from the turf, you will find round and small sundews. There are also beautiful plants in the forests near Breda. The oldest parts of the nature reserve are more than a thousand years old and you will find a wealth of diversity: the slender primrose, wood anemone, one berry, large beetle orchid, yellow avens and white rampion. The old, loamy moist winter oak-beech forest of 112 hectares has been designated as a Natura 2000 area and was created for the production of wood and hunting. This forest is, as it were, a living museum piece. You can park your car for free at the parking lot at the starting point of the cycle route.