Tour of Helenaveen

The raised peat bog here used to cover approximately 30,000 hectares. The 4,000 hectares that remained intact retained its natural ruggedness. The Deurnsche Peel and the adjacent Mariapeel around the peat colonies of Griendtsveen and Helenaveen, for example, are remnants of this once extensive raised bog area. A little further on you will pass a special monument in the peat village of Griendtsveen, Munitiehuisje Griendtsveen. It owes its name to the roof, which used to be loose so that in the event of an explosion the roof would fly off and the rest of the building would be spared. In the Grauwveen you will see a beautiful combination of pieces of living raised bog, dry and moist heath, deciduous forest and swamp. Nearby you will discover the German Military Cemetery and Horse Head nature reserve.