Breda, Oosterhout and Dongen

The extensive forest area Boswachterij Dorst is located between Breda, Oosterhout and Dongen. This Staatsbosbeheer property covers 1,117 hectares and consists mainly of Scots pine trees that were planted in the early nineteenth century. At that time this area was still called'Seterse Heide\\\'. Remnants of heather and deciduous forests can be seen in the area. A number of clay pits have also been created due to the work of a former brick factory in the region. Yellow-green sedge, lying milkweed and groundstar are some of the plants you will find in the landscape. In the mid-nineteenth century, many trees were cut down because the area was used as a military training ground. This also caused many sand drifts. When Staatsbosbeheer took possession of the area, trees were planted again. Birds use the area as a breeding ground; sparrowhawk, tree falcon and various woodpecker species and various butterflies flutter from flower to flower here. Brown oak page, heather blue, variegated fathead, greenfinch and the small kingfisher butterfly are no exceptions in the healthy nature of this area. Exmoor ponies and Scottish highlanders maintain the vegetation. The Grote Schans, or Spinolaschans, is also a beautiful part of the route. The original castle was built in 1624-1625, but was also used during the siege of Breda. Until 1952, the Spinolaschans served as an extremely good defense structure due to its favorable location on the Mark River, but after that time it was demilitarized. In 2007, a number of pools were constructed on the west and north sides of the former military complex, as an ecological connecting zone between the polder and the surrounding nature reserve. Profile Peter van den Broek is located at the beginning of the route, in Breda. After you have parked your car for free in the parking lot, you can receive a 10 euro discount at this Profile branch with your bicycle discount pass. This discount applies to maintenance and repairs, so have your bike thoroughly examined before you set off, so that you can start your bike tour safely.