Beesel combines the Dragon Stabbing tradition with a long history and several routes through the countryside. There are different ways to plan your visit: an open-air play and historic buildings, walks with clearly stated distances, and seasonal asparagus offers. You can shape your stay around culture, nature or activity.
Dragon Stabbing and milling history
The oldest written reference to the Dragon Stabbing in Beesel dates from 1736. Since 1967, the Dragon Stabbing has been associated with a permanent performance venue at Kasteel Nieuwenbroek. The event includes a large open-air play held every seven years. In 2012, the Dragon Stabbing was added to the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Netherlands.
Kasteel Nieuwenbroek is a national monument and a protected historic estate in Beesel. The castle is privately owned and is not open to visitors. The Korenmolen de Grauwe Beer offers another way to explore the area’s history: it was built in Zaandam in 1614 as a sawmill, moved to Beesel in 1891 and converted there into a grain mill. Volunteer millers operate the mill regularly and offer guided tours.
Choose walking routes by distance and landscape
The walking trail network in Beesel covers almost 100 kilometres and has around 125 junctions. Named routes include the 6.1-kilometre Sint Joris en de Draak and the 8.4-kilometre Mortel–Maas–Swalmdal. The first has the Dragon Stabbing theme in its name; the second passes through Beesel and the surrounding area shaped by the River Maas. Along the way, it passes the church, ceramic panels and the old cemetery in “Aad Dörp”.
At 12.7 kilometres, the premium Huilbeek en Maas walking route is longer than these two trails. It runs through the Beesel landscape, shaped by wind and water, along the River Maas and past the Huilbeek, as well as through the woods near Reuver. During high water, some sections by the water may be affected. The distances help you narrow down the desired length of your walk; the routes also differ in their landscapes and the places they pass.
The Meerlebroek nature reserve lies east of Beesel, between the Sint Willibrordusdijk and the German border. The marked walking route there starts at the Muiterdijk, passes Galloway cattle, crosses the Prinsendijk and goes between two fens. If you would prefer a route starting in town, consider the Walsbergroute: it starts at the market square in Beesel and passes through rural areas, along the River Maas and through the woods of the Walsberg.
For children, there is the fun Dragon Expedition family walking route. Stories, activities and experiences centred on the dragon are part of its concept. This provides a walking option specifically designed for children, alongside the longer routes, which can be distinguished by their landscapes and distances.
Asparagus route and Maas ferry
During the asparagus harvest, the asparagus cycling tour passes stalls and farm shops selling fresh asparagus. Sales and tastings are seasonal. The route combines a bike ride with an offering tied to the harvest season.
The Kessel–Beesel ferry carries bicycles, pedestrians and cars across the River Maas. Check the latest departure times before travelling. This lets you take the crossing into account when planning without assuming a particular service or departure time.
Discover more destinations: Reuver.
Back to the main travel overview: Beesel.
