Hunsel, Beegden and Grathem

Cycling around the Boschmolenplas means cycling through a beautiful nature reserve where water and nature come together in an oasis of greenery and tranquility. The area consists mainly of extensive heathland, beautiful forests and a number of ponds. There are nice villages around the water ready to be explored. With unprecedented, friendly hospitality, people here still like to have a chat. You cycle along the Beegderheide, where farmers traditionally grazed their cattle together. Due to intensive use, the area gradually changed into a meadow landscape. Today the nature reserve is home to interesting animals and plants; In 1995 a recovery plan was started to preserve and protect heathland and plant and animal species. Initially, you mainly found beautiful flora on the Beegderheide, including bell gentian, white and brown beak rush, marsh deer hay or small dodder. During the recovery plan, some plant species that were never known to have grown on the heath even appeared, such as white water crowfoot and loose bladderwort. The disappeared nightjar returned and the field cricket expanded its habitat, but new species such as the stonechat and blue-winged grasshopper now also find their way to the Beegderheide. You can park your car for free in front of Profile Janssen in Hunsel. Take the opportunity to have your bicycle checked here and repaired if necessary. With your bicycle discount pass you will receive a discount of up to 10 euros on repairs and maintenance. Then you set course for the Heel. This beautiful castle is located on the southern edge of the village of the same name. Heel Castle was first mentioned in 1264, but little of the old castle has remained over the years. The current house dates from the seventeenth century. The house has two lower side wings that were added in the eighteenth century. Unfortunately, the castle cannot be visited. The peaceful character of the landscape is also evident on the Nederhoven estate, located near Beegden. The house dates from 1614 and the other buildings on the site were added around 1750. There is a lot of forest on the site, especially old lime trees, oaks and beech trees. The estate is open to the public, so hop off and take a walk through the beautifully landscaped garden so you can fully enjoy the peace and quiet. Then you head to Grathem, where you can view an undershot watermill from 1874. The Grathemermolen was mainly used as a flour mill. The mill was largely rebuilt in 1995 and received a new water wheel so that it can grind on water power again. The mill is fully operational and still grinds grain into grist on a professional basis. Finally you arrive at the historic Oud Buggenum castle. The original castle was built before 1419, but the current house and tower were rebuilt in the sixteenth century, on the old foundations of the first fortress. The gardens are breathtakingly beautiful, so take your time to enjoy the beautiful garden rooms, fountains and beautiful water features. Nowadays exhibitions are organized in the castle.