Budel, Achel, Hamont

Explore the south side of the Leenderbos, where sand drifts and trees adorn the stream valleys. The stream valleys of the Tongelreep and the Strijper Aa surround the area and in the forest you can still regularly see remnants of heathland and some fens. The Leenderbos is a typical production forest, created because the heathland was no longer profitable for agriculture. Yet nature and recreation are of paramount importance: the forests are becoming increasingly varied and more and more forest animals are finding their way there. This creates a new balance in nature and the production forest is slowly transformed into a rougher piece of nature. But it is even more fun when you cross the border with the southern neighbors and go to Hamont, in the Limburg province of Belgium. The center is not large and is dominated by a triangular market square and the St. Laurentius Church, which was built in 1903-1904 in the neo-Gothic style. In 1782 the village square had a bluestone pump that was not only used to pump water, but also as a pillory. This was destroyed in 1944, but in 1989 the old pump was rebuilt near the church. Special, monumental houses can be found scattered here and there among modern buildings. Outside the center are three monasteries and the De Wal farm (with coach house!) from 1878, which now houses studios for artists. There are also nice sights on Dutch soil. About four kilometers after you start the route, Cranendonck Castle appears near Soerendonk. The complex was named after the crane that lived in the area and the hilly area. The castle was probably built in the thirteenth century and has been inhabited by various noble families over the centuries. Anna van Egmond, the first wife of William of Orange, was not the least of these, and the title "Baroness of Cranendonck" is one of the many titles of Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands. The castle was destroyed by the French in 1673 and the ruins continued to deteriorate. In 1938, the castle was converted into the town hall of Maarheeze, when the municipality bought the estate. Cranendonck is still a popular wedding location. In Budel, the Janzona mill is also waiting for a visit. It is one of the three mills that can still be seen in Budel and the Janzona was first mentioned in 1341. In 1921 the mill was destroyed by fire and it was decided not to restore the mill due to competition from the other mills in the village. To prevent decay, the owner runs the mill regularly.