Discover the Maashorst

The Reeksche and Schaijkse Heide are nature reserves that lie between Schaijk, Reek, Velp and Langenboom. The Reeksche Heide has been used since 1850 mainly as a military training area. The drifting dunes are ideal bullet traps and to make the exercises run more smoothly, a number of building complexes and associated infrastructure have also been constructed. Parts of the area have therefore been cordoned off, but where this is not the case, you can enjoy a lovely walk through the coniferous forests of thereeksche heide. The Schaijkse Heide is also beautiful. There is also a grazing area in this forest, in which animals roam around in a section closed off with game grids. Deer and foxes are not often seen, but here they get all the peace and space to maintain the population.

In addition, Scottish Highlanders walk through the area, but also ordinary forest animals such as rabbits and squirrels. The area around Schaijk has been inhabited for centuries. Remains of a burial mound have been found on the Gaalse Heide, which shows that the area was already inhabited before the arrival of the Romans. From 1200 the area was permanently inhabited and the town"Schadewijk\\\" is first mentioned in 1383. The Book of Miracles of Our Lady of's-Hertogenbosch describes how Lysbeth Moliaert, who comes from Scaeywijc, miraculously heals from epilepsy. Under the French occupation, Schaijk subsequently became an independent municipality and when the Kingdom of the Netherlands was established, it remained that way. After 1900 the number of inhabitants of the village increased rapidly and in 1942 the municipality of Reek was added to Schaijk.