America combines a short village walk with longer hiking trails in the surrounding area and cultural-historical themes. This offers a range of options for your stay: you can take a closer look at the village’s development and church architecture, choose a hike, or focus on the history of the Peel region.
Walking in the village and surrounding area
Rondje om America is a 2.5-kilometre walking route through the village. In the nearby Schadijkse Bossen, the 11.5-kilometre Boswachterspad passes through different types of woodland, over wandering dunes and across heathland, as well as past ponds. If you are looking for a longer waymarked route, this is an alternative to the village walk. The Schadijkse Bossen are accessible year-round; as access rules can change, it is a good idea to check the latest notices before setting out.
The Turfstekerspad also gives walkers the chance to explore the varied countryside around America. The route retraces the historic journey from Horst and the surrounding area to the peat fields in De Peel. It therefore combines walking with a direct connection to the cultural landscape: it is not just a route through the countryside, but also a link to the historical peat fields.
Aan de Drift is a starting point for walks, cycling trips and activities that let you experience the nature of the Schadijkse Bossen and the Heere Peel. During opening hours, a map showing all current walking and cycling routes is displayed inside the building. Visitors can use it to put together their own route. If you would like to use the map for your planning, check the opening hours in advance.
Church architecture and the history of the Peel region
The R.K. Kerk St. Jozef is a pseudo-basilica built in 1891–1892 to a design by the architect J.H.H. Van Groenendael. It has architectural and cultural-historical value in connection with America’s development as a settlement village. Its construction period, building type and connection with the village’s development give the church a distinctive historical context.
The Peelmuseum preserves and shares knowledge about the way of life, customs, occupations and crafts of De Peel’s former inhabitants. Its focus adds social and everyday history to the picture of the region: alongside the development of the landscape, it also highlights the people and their work. With its historic route to the peat fields, the Turfstekerspad explores another aspect of this past.
Ideas for your stay
The routes differ considerably in their marked distances, while the map at Aan de Drift can help you put together your own walking or cycling route. This makes it easy to tailor your day to your interests without trying to fit every activity into a single itinerary.
One event to consider is Zondag in 't Zuiden, an annual family festival in America organised by and with Rowwen Hèze. It concludes with a performance by the band. If your trip depends on the festival, check the event dates before making plans.
Discover more destinations: Lottum, Grubbenvorst, Horst, Meerlo, Sevenum, Broekhuizenvorst, Melderslo, Broekhuizen
For the wider travel overview: Horst Aan De Maas.
