Tour of the Nieuwe Heide

To the east of the municipality of Best lies the De Nieuwe Heide nature reserve, where mainly Scots pine is planted. Originally the production timber was intended for mining, but the area is gradually developing naturally. Continue the road through the bird-rich Scheeken nature reserve. The sparrowhawk and goldcrest breed close to the lesser spotted woodpecker and the nightingale. The hawk, buzzard, honey buzzard, tree falcon and various owls also occur. The most famous Scheeken resident is the woodcock. Between beautiful coniferous and deciduous forests you will find the slender primrose, wood anemone and Great Wall (carnation family). Past Boskant you cross the idyllic Dommeldal, part of the Het Groene Woud nature reserve. At junction 33 you can cycle towards the village where Te Rijsingen Castle once stood halfway. Now only a hamlet remains. The route passes strategic points that were important in the liberation of the Netherlands during the Second World War. Stop briefly at junction 92 where listening boulder L116: Hell's Highway is located.