Tips from forest ranger Lieke
As the forester who welcomes visitors to De Pelen, Lieke Verhoeven knows the wide open nature of the Land van de Peel like the back of her hand. We asked her what makes the region so special to her. According to Lieke: "The vastness, the silence, the intense skies and the raised bog are what really define nature in this region for me."
Which places does she find the most beautiful and the most hidden, and what should you look out for along the way? These ten tips let you see nature in the Peel through the eyes of a forester.
Before you go. During the breeding season, from 15 March to 15 July, and the bird migration season, from 15 October to 30 November, parts of the nature reserves are closed to the public. At all times, stay on the paths, keep dogs on a lead and take your litter home.
1. The boardwalks in De Groote Peel
Walk through a bog and still keep your feet dry? For hundreds of years, people have used boardwalks to cross the peat. From the boardwalks you can see the sphagnum moss growing. Follow the red or blue walking route from Buitencentrum De Pelen in Ospel.
View the boardwalk route
The Nonnenpad in the Deurnese Peel
The blue walking route starts at the De Halte car park in Griendtsveen and runs partly through nature and partly through the historic peat cutters' village. On the north side of the Deurnese Peel you walk along newly built embankments and then along a narrow path overlooking the lakes. Remarkably, peat was still being cut here until the 1980s. Today it is a protected nature reserve.
View the walking routes from De Halte
3. the Amsloberg
This sandy hill is the highest point in De Groote Peel. It rises just above its surroundings, giving you a view across the whole area. At the end of summer it is covered in flowering heather. The Amsloberg is open all year round and can be reached from the visitor centre via the Paardenbegrazing route.
4.The Belfort on the Vossenberg
On the edge of De Groote Peel, a 22-metre observation tower has stood since 2020. From the top you can see the structure of the landscape: the large lakes, the vast heathland and the raised bog. In spring and autumn, large flocks of geese land here to spend the night.
View the Belfort The Vossenberg
5.The wheelchair-friendly observation tower on the yellow walking route
Easy to reach with a pushchair or wheelchair via the paved path. From the De Groote Peel observation tower you can see the scars of the past in the landscape, such as the raised peat tracks once used to carry the peat away.
6. Excursions from Buitencentrum De Pelen
The visitor centre of De Groote Peel regularly organises excursions and activities for children. Lieke: "The Peel Beleef-je-Buiten Tocht is a real favourite, where children from 6 years old really get to know the Peel." Or join a guided walk with a Peel guide. For the little ones there is the Kabouterpad, a gnome trail.
Dieren spotten
7. Smooth snakes and the bluethroat
Along the yellow walking route in De Groote Peel you can spot the smooth snake, a rare reptile. They live in the higher parts of the raised bog and show themselves when it is neither too hot nor too cold. You don't need to go deep into the area, as you can often see them right from the path. The bluethroat lives in the reeds and bushes along the same route.
Discover De Groote Peel National Park
8. The large chequered skipper
A rare little butterfly that is found almost nowhere else in the Netherlands, but does live in De Groote Peel, along the yellow walking route. They fly in July. You can recognise them by the mirror-like spots on their wings.
9. Birds in the Mussenbaan area
On the south-west side of De Groote Peel, a new nature area has been created that is a paradise for birds. It is a resting and feeding ground for geese, ducks and meadow birds. The former farmland retains water and helps the fragile raised bog recover.
10. The herd of goats in the Mariapeel and De Groote Peel
Staatsbosbeheer uses Dutch landrace goats to keep the area open. The goats eat the young birch trees. Follow the green walking route from the car park at the Biologisch Station, past Pauls Kooije, to meet the herd.
Routes and starting points from Lieke's tips
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Buitencentrum De Pelen
Buitencentrum De Pelen
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The forester's path in De Groote Peel
The forester's path in De Groote Peel
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Walking routes from De Halte
Walking routes from De Halte
More nature inspiration - Read other blogs about walking, cycling and observation points in the nature of the Peel
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The heather in bloom
Enjoy the blooming heathlands in the Land van de Peel. From mid-August to mid-September, the heath blossoms and transforms the already beautiful nature into a purple fairytale landscape.