Tour of Brüggen, Brachterwald and Swalmdaal

This route takes you through the beautiful nature of the (partly car-free!) Maas-Schwalm-Nette border park. 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's a protected nature reserve, with heathlands and pine forests. Motorized traffic is prohibited in the area, making it a unique cycling experience – also thanks to the still-recognizable former depots. In Germany, you'll discover the town of Bruggen with its beautiful castle. In the Swalm Valley, you'll see wet alder swamp forests. You'll also cross the Swalm, a fast-flowing, meandering forest stream whose source lies in higher Germany. Just past Swalmen, the stream flows into the Meuse.