Boekel reveals itself through different traces: the landscape of the Peel tells the story of its cultivation, while natural areas and historic sites show other facets of the region. The Ontginningsroute Boekel & Venhorst brings the results of the large-scale cultivation of the Peel in Boekel and Venhorst in the early 20th century into view. In Natuurpark De Perekker, on the edge of the Peel, the effects of the Peelrandbreuk can be seen at the surface. The cultural landscape and geology thus offer two different perspectives on Boekel.
Peel cultivation on two cycling routes
The Ontginningsroute Boekel & Venhorst is 37 kilometres long and takes about three hours by bike. The start and finish are at Natuurpark De Perekker. The entire route is signposted with signs bearing the words “Ontginningsroute”. Its theme is the large-scale cultivation of the Peel, the results of which the route brings into view in Boekel and Venhorst.
The 30-kilometre Monumentenroute Boekel & Venhorst has a different focus: it passes several monuments in Boekel and offers cyclists the natural beauty of the Peel. Small pavilions with picnic benches stand at several points along the route. The two routes can therefore be distinguished by length and theme: one focuses on 37 kilometres and the history of cultivation, the other on 30 kilometres, monuments and the nature of the Peel.
Experience nature: heathland, forest and the Peelrandbreuk
On foot, the marked Kloosterrondwandeling Boekel en Handel offers a different scale. The walk is 6.7 kilometres long and takes about an hour and a half. It starts at Huize Padua and passes, among other places, Museum De Kluis. Compared with the longer cycling routes, this is a clearly defined walking route with its own cultural connection.
Voskuilenheuvel is a small remnant of the former uncultivated Peel plain. A nature walk there passes through forest and heathland, as well as a wet area with hollows. Plants and animals found in the area include heath clubmoss, rushes, the red pore fungus and the tree pipit. The varied landscape features shape the view of this place, without any single attraction taking centre stage.
Natuurpark De Perekker also brings nature and orientation together: the effects of the Peelrandbreuk are visible at the surface there. The visitor centre in the park provides information about natural phenomena associated with the Peelrandbreuk. This allows you not only to see this geological feature in the landscape, but also to learn more about it.
Museum De Kluis and the history of Huize Padua
Museum De Kluis is located in De Kluis, the oldest building on the Levendig Landgoed Huize Padua estate. At the museum, a timeline presents the history in words and images. The visit and the Kloosterrondwandeling Boekel en Handel can be considered together thematically: the marked route starts at Huize Padua and passes the museum, among other places. The walking route and the story of the building thus complement each other.
Harvest day, flower picking and paintball
The Auwerwetse Boekelse Oogstdag takes place every year on the second Sunday in August at the site on Mutshoek in Boekel. The exact calendar date varies from year to year, so check the date for your travel year. The 2026 edition included demonstrations with old agricultural machinery and tractors. This gives the event a special connection to farming and harvest time.
Knoppig! is a small private pick-your-own flower garden on Zandhoek in the village of Boekel in Noord-Brabant. Visitors can pick their own wildflower bouquet on Saturday mornings. Visits are limited to the stated visiting hours; check them before you travel. This makes it possible to plan your flower-picking visit, rather than treating it as an activity available at any time.
Paintball Games Venhorst has four themed fields. When you make a reservation, you can try all of them. The operator describes the Shipment field as an exact copy of the game Call of Duty Modern Warfare. This is not about Peel landscapes or cultural heritage, but a themed gaming experience with several fields to choose from.
Discover more destinations: Boekel, Venhorst, Maasdonk, Deurne, Haaren, Eersel, Loon Op Zand, Helmond.
Back to the overview of destinations: Noord-Brabant.
