Cycling routes, a clearly specified hiking distance and a concise account of local history offer different perspectives on Melderslo. When choosing a tour, you can focus on two specific points: the route’s length and whether it highlights, for example, the museum village, blueberries or asparagus cultivation. Churches, monuments and natural areas add to these themes.
Cycling Routes Around Melderslo
The 33-kilometre “De Locht” cycling route starts at Museumdorp De Locht in Melderslo. The asparagus cycling tour around Melderslo and Grubbenvorst also has a starting point at the museum in Melderslo, which is one of three possible starting points. This route focuses on asparagus cultivation. As starting points can change, check yours before setting out.
Two other tours are each about 35 kilometres long, but focus on different themes: the “Blauwe bessenroute” around Melderslo is all about blueberries, while the asparagus cycling tour around Melderslo and Grubbenvorst focuses on asparagus cultivation. Comparing them can help you choose a theme without conflating the routes: one is about blueberries, the other about asparagus cultivation.
Choose Walks by Distance
The “Melders Ommetje” is 5.6 kilometres long and may be extended to 8 kilometres. This makes it shorter than the roughly 12-kilometre “Voetsporen uit ’t Verleden” educational cycling and walking route, which ends in Melderslo at Museum Oorlog in de Peel. Before planning, check whether the route is currently available and whether booking is required. Another option is the 17-kilometre “Naar ’t Ham” walking route, which is connected with Melderslo.
Nature can also be explored separately: ’t Ham, a natural area in the valley of the Groote Molenbeek, is nearby.
Museums, Church and Memorials
Streekboerderijmuseum de Locht opened on 20 April 1990 and has developed into an authentic museum village. In addition to serving as a starting point for cycling routes, it also represents a cultural and historical theme in Melderslo. Museum Oorlog in de Peel presents the local history of the Second World War through dioramas, authentic uniforms, a very large collection of weapons, equipment and documents from 1940 to 1945.
Sint-Odakerk is also part of the local history. It was rebuilt in 1953, 150 metres from its original site, and fitted with stained-glass windows by glass artist Joep Nicolas (1897–1972). The history of the building thus brings together a specific relocation and the work of a named artist.
The “Sporen die bleven” monument commemorates the raids of October and November 1944. During these raids, the occupying forces arrested more than 3,000 boys and men to take them to work in Germany’s war industry as forced labourers. Fifty-one of those arrested came from Melderslo; all returned home. The monument consists of a black commemorative plaque and a sundial on a stone from the pre-war church.
Other historic buildings offer different points of interest. Kasteelruïne at Vlasven was built in 1938 as accommodation for the De Jonge Wacht youth association. Wachtershuis 56 is a well-preserved typological example of a guard post from the last quarter of the 19th century. A projecting section of the building provided a good view of the railway line; the façade is simply designed.
The Surrounding Landscape
In the area around Melderslo, the road to Broekhuizen divides an old bend of the Meuse into two parts: Lottummer Schuitwater and Broekhuizerbroek. Het Schuitwater is a varied natural area around an old bend of the Meuse. There, open water, marshy areas, some reed beds, swamp forest and wet meadows alternate. Higher ground features sandy soils with forests, heathland, small lakes and fields.
Discover more destinations: Lottum, Sevenum, Broekhuizen, Griendtsveen, Meterik, Hegelsom, America, Meerlo.
For the overview of the wider area: Horst Aan De Maas.
