The Oude Graafkanaal (Old Count Canal) is a unique piece of cultural history in the landscape of North Brabant and Limburg. This canal was constructed in the 19th century to drain water and make the surrounding area suitable for agriculture. Although the original project was never fully completed, the canal now serves as a valuable green corridor.
Along the canal, you'll walk through a diverse landscape of ancient forests, open fields, and marshy areas. The banks are rich in flora and fauna: in summer, you'll see dragonflies and butterflies, while herons and ducks use the water as a foraging area. The water itself meanders peacefully through the landscape, surrounded by stately rows of trees that glow with warm colors in autumn.
The Oude Graafkanaal also tells the story of the battle against the water. By constructing this canal, engineers attempted to tame the wet, difficult-to-work soils and transform them into fertile land. Today, it serves as a reminder of that time, but above all, as a place of peace and tranquility and experiencing nature.
A walk here feels like a journey through time: between old waterworks and a landscape that is slowly returning to its natural state.