Budel, Stramproy, Weert

Originally an area of heathland and drifting sand, conifers were planted here from 1900 for the production of mine timber. The Lauramines, named after the wife of the mine founder, was a coal mine. In coal mines, a lot of softwood was used to support underground building structures. The timber was transported along the canal. The oldest trees are furthest from the canal and date from 1925. The forest consisted mainly of Scots pine, Douglas fir and Corsican pine. In 1997, Natuurmonumenten took over management of the forest and planted deciduous trees. Thus, it has now become a more natural, diverse and colourful forest.

But you cycle through more nature! Between against the Belgian border is the Wijffelterbroek nature reserve. This used to be a swampy area that you could not cross with any possibility, but in the early twentieth century reclamation of this area started. As a result, you can walk there beautifully nowadays. The varied vegetation also attracts varied animal species, such as the alpine newt, kingfisher, reed bunting and unusual butterflies.

Finally, you cycle past one of the showpieces of the Limburg Landscape: the Stamprooierbroek. This area too was once a large swamp. The Abeek, which now forms the national border between the Netherlands and Belgium, used to flow through the land up to a kilometre wide. Together with the nearby Hasselterbroek and the Zig, Stamprooierbroek forms more than 400 hectares of contiguous nature! In these natural forests, there is no human intervention, allowing nature to take its own course.

With this cycle route, you will enjoy the natural beauty on and even a little bit over the Belgian border.