Tour of Landerd

From Zeeland you go walking through the Maashorst Nature Reserve. It may sound strange because the Maas doesn't flow through Zeeland, does it? That's right. We are talking about the town of Zeeland, in the province of North Brabant, just above Uden. The small cozy village is located on the edge of the Maashorst nature reserve. It is a wonderful green area where you can enjoy good recreation.

You start the walk at De Heische Tip recreation park. This park is located on a recreational lake with clean water and a beautiful beach. You can camp at De Heische Tip, but there is also plenty to do for day holidaymakers: swimming, mini golf or relaxing on the terrace by the water after a cycling or walking tour.

From the campsite you can walk directly through the Maashorst Nature Reserve. With a size of 3,500 hectares, De Maashorst is the largest contiguous nature reserve in North Brabant. You will find coniferous forests, heathlands, fens, modern agricultural areas alternating with old-fashioned farmland with fields, wet grasslands and hedgerows. The name Maashorst refers to the fact that the Maas once flowed here. Due to all kinds of geological processes, the course of the Meuse has shifted in an increasingly easterly direction, but the river has deposited gravel and boulders here. To keep the nature reserve open and varied, large grazers have been introduced. There is a good chance that you will encounter them: Scottish Highlanders, Icelandic ponies or mouflons. But various small animals also like to live in De Maashorst. It is still a fairly humid area, which is highly appreciated by the natterjack toad and the moor frog.

While walking you will discover the charm of the rapid changes in the landscape. The forest is constantly being broken up again by fields or heathlands. A type of landscape that also attracts many birds of prey that like to stay along the edge of the forest to forage in the meadows. A typical feature of De Maashorst is that there are various earth fractures in the park. This once caused a major earthquake in this area in 1992. Fortunately, the tremors in the Netherlands are not life-threatening. However, the earth fractures do cause the special phenomenon that groundwater rises to the surface at higher areas. This happens in the so-called designated reserves. The calcareous water produces special vegetation in these areas. The farms in this nature reserve are small-scale and produce delicious artisanal products that they mainly sell in the region. At various farms you will find farm shops where you can have a nice browse. If you would like to explore the east side of Zeeland, take your bike and do cycle route number 315605'Enjoy the countryside\\\'.