Heathland and Water Landscape

Riel brings together village history and a varied landscape. South of the village, in the municipality of Goirle, lies the Regte Heide en Riels Laag nature reserve. It covers 540 hectares and is designated as a Natura 2000 site. The area is notable for its distinctive transitions from heathland with waterways to the stream valleys of the Oude Leij and the Poppelsche Leij. It includes dry and wet heathland, marshy hollows, acidic and weakly buffered waters, as well as deciduous and coniferous forests. Exploring the landscape and learning about village history therefore offer distinct points of interest.

Walks with Different Points of Interest

The “Walk around Riel” circular route has a set distance and duration: it starts in the centre, is 7.5 kilometres long and takes about an hour and a half. After leaving the village centre, it follows the winding Leij and passes t Zandeind, Riel’s oldest hamlet. The walk therefore connects its starting point in the centre with the Leij and a historic hamlet. For planning a single outing, the approximate time and distance provide a useful guide.

Another walking option is “Riel & Hei”: the route connects the area around Riel with a walk along the Riels Laag and across the Regte Hei. Highlights include views and the Leijtal. By comparison, “Walk around Riel” can be planned around its 7.5-kilometre distance and approximate duration of an hour and a half; “Riel & Hei” is characterised by its combination of the Riels Laag and Regte Hei. The two walks thus differ in their specific details and landscape highlights.

Village and Railway History

An example of the area’s architectural history is the Sint Antonius Abtkerk in Riel, which is part of a church complex. It is a neo-Gothic cruciform church with a western entrance tower, designed by P.J. van Genk. Its style, floor plan and tower give the church a distinctive character alongside the natural attractions around Riel.

t Zandeind, Riel’s oldest hamlet, is also a point of reference for the local architecture. The building cluster at Spie Zandeind-Goorweg still includes listed buildings with thatched roofs, as well as views of the surrounding fields. The cluster also includes a small farm museum. If you are planning a visit, check the visiting arrangements in advance.

The Bels Lijntje cycle path, which runs from Tilburg to Turnhout and passes through Riel, offers another way to explore the area. Along the historic Bels Lijntje railway line, Riel had its own station and four railway signal boxes. The shared name links the cycle route to the village’s railway past. So, alongside the walks, there is a named cycle route, while the station’s history adds a historical connection to the Bels Lijntje.

Discover more destinations: Goirle.

Return to the main travel overview: Goirle.