Tour of Brüggen, Brachterwald and Swalmdaal

Your route starts at the Forelrivier Reuver. This route takes you through the beautiful nature of the (partly car-free!) border park Maas-Schwalm-Nette. On the other side of the German border you enter the Brachter Wald. This was once the largest ammunition depot in Western Europe. Now it is a protected nature reserve, with heathlands and pine forests. The area is closed to motorized traffic, so that you will have a unique cycling experience here - also because of the still recognizable former depots. In Germany you will discover the town of Bruggen with its beautiful castle. In the Swalmdal you will see wet alder swamp forests. You will also cross the Swalm, a fast-flowing, meandering forest stream whose source is in higher Germany. Just past Swalmen the stream flows into the Maas.