This walk takes you through the unique raised bog area of the Deurnsche Peel and Mariapeel, one of the last remnants of the vast peat landscape that once covered large parts of East Brabant and Limburg. This nature reserve is of international importance and is part of the Natura 2000 network, as it is home to rare plants and animals that depend on wet peatlands.
The landscape is impressive and at times almost surreal: vast plains of peat moss, swamp forests, open ponds, and rugged reed beds. In summer, the area turns purple with flowering heather, while in autumn and winter, the mists over the water create a mystical atmosphere. Everywhere you hear the calls of birds – from cranes and geese that land here during migration to rare species such as the bluethroat, bittern, and snipe.
The Deurnsche Peel and Mariapeel also have a rich cultural history. For centuries, peat was cut here for fuel, shaping the landscape into its current form. Remnants of old peat canals and quays still recall that time. Today, parts of the area have been re-watered to restore the raised bog, allowing it to regrow – a process that takes decades.
The walking paths meander along narrow boardwalks, open marshlands, and tranquil forest edges. It is a place where silence and vastness prevail, and where you truly feel like you've stepped into another world.