A distinctive way to discover Reusel-De Mierden is through its nature and border history. The De Moeren nature area is the remnant of a largely excavated raised bog that extends on both sides of the present-day national border. Wet heathland, dry coniferous forest and naturally regenerated birch woodland are part of its landscape. The variety of habitats gives the area more than one natural highlight.
Moorlands and nature watching
Birdwatching is the main attraction at Het Beleven nature area: spoonbills can be seen there regularly, although individual sightings naturally vary. The Suskes Klompenpedje runs for 7.5 kilometres through the area. Zwartven offers a different landscape feature: it is a protected natural monument on a high sandy ridge, and the drifting sand dune at Zwartven is Brabant’s second-highest point.
At Landgoed Wellenseind, almost all of the Kempen’s traditional landscape types come together across 130 hectares. The meandering streams De Reusel and De Raamloop form the heart of the estate and meet in its northern part. The nature highlights therefore range from open questions about the landscape’s formation to a specific stream system.
Routes by distance and theme
Walkers who want to compare distances first will find a range of options: Rondje Cirkel Reuselse bossen is 6.5 kilometres long, Suskes Klompenpedje is 7.5 kilometres and Natuurpoort de Brandtoren is 12.5 kilometres. The Reusel-De Mierden walking network of numbered junctions also lets visitors plan their own walks. Check the local signposting if needed.
There are also cycling routes with clearly different distances. Littekens van bange dagen is a 36.6-kilometre loop through Reusel-De Mierden. De Witte Vos is 53 kilometres long and is divided near Reusel into a northern loop of 28 kilometres and a southern loop of 25 kilometres. The route details make the distances easy to compare without specifying a particular journey time. The network also offers opportunities for horse riding and mountain biking.
Places and stories along the border
The present-day H. Stephanuskerk in Lage Mierde is listed as a medieval parish church with a cemetery. The De bewogen jaren Museum has a diverse and extensive collection of everyday objects from the Second World War and the Dutch East Indies. At the Smokkelmuseumke, visitors can get a sense of border life in the 19th and 20th centuries.
D'n Droad refers to the electric wire barrier erected along the Belgian-Dutch border in 1915 during the First World War. One example can be found in Reusel’s southern woods, between cycling junctions 15 and 16. De Grote en de Kleine Cirkel is the name given to two landmarks used by pilots for navigation during the Second World War. The Reuselse Kei adds a geological feature: it is a 550-million-year-old erratic boulder.
More things to do and practical information
The Spartelvijver swimming pond is in the woods and has sunbathing lawns and a long sandy beach for children. As it is a seasonal swimming facility, check access before setting out. The Outdoor Park Reusel has a high ropes course and offers abseiling. From a height of 26 metres, visitors can look out over the green surroundings and the many outdoor activities. The Blotevoetenpad Beweeg Natuurlijk is 1.5 kilometres long and includes ten challenges on a range of natural surfaces.
The seasonal Snoeperkes programme combines a cycling or walking tour using junctions with twelve small tastings at 29 participating food and drink venues. The voucher booklet costs €22.95. Participating venues and programme conditions may change; check them before taking part. For connections to public transport, BravoFlex runs daily from early morning until late evening on demand. The service connects a nearby stop, without a fixed route or timetable, to a public transport interchange where you can continue by bus or train. Check operating and booking conditions before making a specific journey.
The Visit Reusel-De Mierden information point offers tourist information as well as maps and routes for cycling, walking and horse riding. Check the service details before your trip.
Discover more destinations: Lage Mierde, Reusel, Breda, Steenbergen, Zundert, Etten-Leur, Cranendonck, Eersel.
For the regional travel overview: North Brabant.
