Smugglers route across the Strijbeekse Heide

The Strijbeekse Heide with its mysterious fens used to be a well-known smuggler's area. You enjoy the peace, with in the back of your mind the dangerous antics that have been played here...

Smuggling route
After an overnight stay at Natuurkampeerterrein't Beekdal, you will set off around Strijbeek, a village south of Breda. Borders always seem to have two functions. In addition to separating one area from another, they often provide a lucrative trade for smugglers. For years, smugglers from Belgium and the Netherlands were active here in the surrounding forests. This walking route takes you in their footsteps across the Strijbeekse Heide, along the fens of Zwarte Goor and Langven.

Coniferous trees
You will find a beautiful mix of fragrant conifers, fens and heather here. That's a nice walk. Moreover, it is wonderfully quiet here, so close to the border with Belgium. If you look around you, you will understand that smugglers in this area had plenty of opportunities to cross the border with their illegal goods unnoticed. Although, unseen: there may be a romantic haze about the former smuggling, but the constables used to shoot with live ammunition. And also hit.