Explore nature near Deurne

Near Deurne you cycle along the edges of the Deurnsche Peel and the Mariapeel, two rugged nature reserves. The Deurnsche Peel has not escaped exploitation. Peat was extracted here until the 1970s. Nowadays people are trying to rehydrate the area so that the raised peat can recover. About a hundred bird species breed there. The crane regularly makes a pit stop here during the migration period, sometimes in large numbers. Between junctions 27 and 57 you look out on the right at the Mariapeel: a remnant of what was once an inhospitable raised bog area. This area has never been explored, which is unique. In between you drive through Helenaveen and Griendtsveen, the only former peat colonies in the southern Netherlands. Both towns enjoy a protected village view. The route starts and ends at Natuurpoort De Peel.