Leenderbos combines protected nature with distinctive landscapes and a network of riding trails for riders and horse-drawn carriages. Leende also has a history of windmills and churches, as well as routes with different focuses. This lets you consider nature experiences, local history and regional highlights separately when planning your trip.
Nature and Landscape in Leenderbos
Leenderbos is part of the De Groote Heide Nature Border Park and is protected as part of the Leenderbos, Groote Heide & De Plateaux Natura 2000 area. An unusual landscape feature in the forest is Klein Hasselven: it is a pingo ruin with an island of living raised bog surrounded by a narrow ring of water. The description of the section covered by the Natuur Fietsroute also mentions coniferous forests; at the same time, work is underway to restore heathland.
Leenderbos has a network of riding trails for riders and horse-drawn carriages. For those who would rather explore the landscape by bike, the “Natuurlijk!” route covers 48.4 kilometres. It passes through the municipality of Heeze-Leende’s three village centres, as well as extensive forests and heathland. Destinations named along the route include Restaria ’t Klumpke in Leende and Leenderbos.
Compare Cycling Routes by Length
The “Smokkelroute De Groote Heide” cycling route is 44 kilometres long; its listed location is Leende-Budel. This makes it shorter than the 48.4-kilometre “Natuurlijk!” route. The two routes also differ in their stated focus: “Natuurlijk!” passes through the municipality’s village centres, forests and heathland, while the Smokkelroute is listed with its own location.
Windmill Construction and Church Architecture
The Heimolen is a smaller-scale reconstruction of the Leende standerd windmill, which was destroyed in a severe storm on 14 November 1940. Traditional techniques and tools were used to rebuild it. The windmill thus tells a specific chapter of local windmill history, and reflects a reconstruction deliberately based on earlier building methods.
The Church of St. Petrus’ Banden also has a clearly identifiable architectural feature: it is a late Gothic cruciform basilica with an integral tower. Its Neo-Gothic organ was built in 1863 by Mechelen organ builder Loret. The details about the church and organ offer two different points of interest: the church’s design and a dated piece of its interior.
Leenderstrijp and the Surrounding Area
In nearby Leenderstrijp, remains of a church and a chapel can be found on Kapelstraat. Also in Leenderstrijp is the nearby Sint-Janskapel, originally built in the 15th century and rebuilt in 1843. The Strijpertunneltje connects Leende and Leenderstrijp as a passage beneath the A2. Its mural was created using the fresco technique, in collaboration with residents of Leende.
Another nearby point of interest is the Achelse Kluis, on the border between Hamont-Achel in Belgium and Leende in the Netherlands. It lies in an extensive natural area of fields, forests and heathland. The nearby Inspiratiepunt De Groote Heide offers an interactive introduction to the area’s history and future. Both places broaden the view beyond Leenderbos, but offer different perspectives: the cross-border natural setting, and its history and future.
Local Brewing and Baking Traditions
’t Brouwershuis opened as a brewery in 1815 and produced beer for more than a century. This is distinct from the current offering at Premium Bier Leende, where interactive beer tastings are available according to individual preference. Brokmop, in turn, is a cube-shaped aniseed biscuit from Leende, made by local bakers using a secret recipe. Leende thus brings together a range of local traditions: the history of beer production, tastings tailored to preference, and a baked good with its own distinctive shape and recipe tradition.
Discover more destinations: Sterksel, Heeze.
See the overview of the wider area: Heeze-Leende.
