Ecological and cultural-historical cycling route

The Strabrechtse Heide has great ecological and cultural-historical values. In the spring, shovelers and garnets breed around the fens. The wistful call of the curlew can be heard while the green woodpecker searches the ground for ants and other treats. But the most impressive animal that inhabits the moors is the crane, which announces its arrival with a trumpet call. This nature reserve covers 1500 hectares and is the largest heathland in the Netherlands. In the heart lies the open drifting sand area of the Galgenberg, with typical vegetation consisting of spurry, sheep grass and bunt. The Sheepfold on the heath is home to a herd of about four hundred Kempian heath sheep, a breed that almost became extinct in the mid-twentieth century. The herd can be found on the heath during the day. In addition to all that natural beauty, you will also encounter historical monuments. Castle Heeze is one of the most important Dutch national monuments because of its intact 18th century interior. And belt mill De Ellenaar, which was decommissioned before the war.