Walking through the Mariapeel

Put on your waterproof walking shoes (or boots) and discover the primeval beauty of the Mariapeel. You start in Helenaveen, one of the two peat colonies in the south of the Netherlands. Here you will experience the mining history, for example on the Helenavaart: a canal that was used for peat transport until the twentieth century. At Geldersestraat 10/12 there are still buildings of NV Maatschappij Helenaveen, the company that Helenaveen founded. Further on you walk into the Mariapeel, the nature reserve that is located just across the border in Limburg. This raised bog area has managed to retain its ancient character. Here you walk through an open heathland where bushes of shrubs grow. The heath is grazed by a herd of Dutch country goats! Back in Helenaveen you can enjoy a cozy terrace at Eethuis en Cafetaria't Veen.