The Kempen silence

Forestry De Kempen is undoubtedly one of the quietest places in North Brabant. This route takes you through this vast forest and through the De Pielis stream landscape.

Smokkelbos Walk a few hundred meters into the woods of Boswachterij De Kempen and you immediately have the feeling that civilization is miles away. It's a good thing you walk here with a route map, otherwise you would get lost in the endless forests that extend across the Belgian border. Speaking of Belgium: peddlers once traveled from market to market here with their merchandise in a basket on their back. When it got dark, smugglers took over with illegal goods.

Stream valley De Pielis The Pielis is a stream valley where the Goorloop flows. What is unique about this paradise in the middle of the forest: it is managed by local farmers. Below you will see pools and shrubs that serve as food, breeding and shelter for birds and other animals. There are also moist hay meadows, grain herb plots and flower-rich grasslands.