From Landgoed Visdonk through the Rucphense Bossen

A large part of this route takes you through the Rucphen forests. This forest area of 1200 hectares extends to the border of Belgium. Originally there was a sand ridge with heaths and a shifting sand area, but in the early 20th century the area was planted with conifers. Hidden between the trees there are agricultural areas here and there and a few spots with heather grass and shifting sand have also been preserved.

Refuel with a tasty meal
The start and end point of this route is at Brasserie Lodge Visdonk. The menu here is full of tasty dishes, so you will certainly not leave the table hungry. A nice way to refuel from all the sportsmanship. The brasserie is located on an estate that has been refurbished in recent years. Do you want to stretch your legs before or after your bike ride? Then walk through the beautiful nature of the estate and enjoy flowering bell gentian and other beautiful plants and flowers around the Rozenven. After about six kilometers of cycling you will find the next attraction: the Heimolen in Rucphen. Get off your bike here to view a belt mill from 1866 and take a breather.

The Heimolen in Rucphen
Originally the Heimolen was a wooden eight-sided building, but nowadays the mill has a stone hull. The mill was originally built as a replacement for a small worn wooden windmill. Until the end of the 20th century, the mill was in regular operation, but eventually the mill came to a standstill. The dilapidated mill was bought in 2008 and restored by the municipality of Rucphen. That took several years, but since 2012 the mill is completely complete and ready to turn again. Now the mill runs occasionally with the help of a volunteer miller.