Eleven ponds were excavated again in de Pannenhoef; the Maria Chapel Route also connects twelve Marian chapels on the outskirts of Rijsbergen. The natural area and religious cultural heritage are two distinct themes for a trip. Other options include the Fitroute, local history and Boerendag Rijsbergen.

Nature in de Pannenhoef

De Pannenhoef covers 706 hectares and lies between Etten-Leur, Zundert, Rijsbergen and Sprundel. The area includes mixed woodland; eleven ponds have been excavated again there. Rare plants found here include the heidekartelblad and moerashertshooi. Moor frogs and pool frogs are also found in de Pannenhoef. The area’s size, landscape features and named species give this natural area a distinctive profile. If you are interested in wetlands or amphibians, these names provide a clear focus for the nature side of your trip.

De Pannenhoef also has many walking trails and extensive cycling opportunities. Walking and cycling offer a different focus from exploring the ponds, plants and amphibians. When planning your nature activities, you can therefore decide whether to focus mainly on trails and exercise or on the landscape and the species found there.

Two routes, different focuses

The Rijsbergen Maria Chapel Route is a cycling route that connects twelve Marian chapels on the outskirts of the town. It starts at Sint-Bavokerk on Sint Bavostraat and is approximately 23.5 kilometres long. The starting point and approximate length provide a practical framework for planning. As route details may change, check the local signage before setting out.

The Fitroute in Rijsbergen is 2.4 kilometres long and includes 13 different exercise activities. It is marked by paving stones set into the road surface. In terms of length, the Fitroute is considerably shorter than the approximately 23.5-kilometre Maria Chapel Route. The routes also differ in theme: the Fitroute focuses on exercise activities, while the Maria Chapel Route focuses on the twelve chapels. This lets you compare the routes by their length and their respective focus.

Church history and remembrance

The Sacred Heart statue group on St. Bavostraat in the town centre dates from 1936 and 1940. The church history includes Sint-Bavokerk in Rijsbergen, which was founded from Sint-Baafsabdij in Ghent. Together, these two local points of interest offer insight into a statue group in the town centre and the church’s founding history.

The Vloeiweide Rijsbergen monument commemorates the sacrifice of the Neefs family and resistance fighters shortly before the liberation of the southern Netherlands. The historical perspective thus extends from church-related heritage to remembrance of the resistance. If you choose Rijsbergen for its history, you will find a range of themes here rather than just one historical perspective.

An annual event

Boerendag Rijsbergen takes place every year on the first Saturday in August. This recurring date provides a seasonal reference point; the natural area, routes and local history are other possible focuses for planning your trip.

Discover more destinations: Wernhout, Zundert, Achtmaal

Go to the main travel overview: Zundert.