IVN Nature Walk | Haagse Beemden

About The Haagse Beemdenbos

The Haagse Beemdenbos, north of Breda, is a completely different forest than the Mastbos in the south. It is several centuries younger and is situated on peat rather than sandy soil. You won’t find coniferous trees here, but rather alders, willows, and other species that can tolerate dampness.  

Historically, this area has included beemden: marshy hay and pasture fields that flooded multiple times a year. As a result, they were only suitable for grassland, not for habitation or agriculture. However, all that dampness created beautiful nature and led to a special variety of plant life.  

In the 1960s, the River Mark was straightened, dikes were built, and the land was made suitable for agriculture. This not only had negative effects on nature but also on the residents of Breda. During high water, there were floods, and the city experienced water ingress. The water retention function of the Vierde Bergboezem was completed in 2010. The area near the River Mark and close to the Asterdplas and Haagse Beemdenbos can hold three million cubic meters of water during high inflow into the River Mark.  

For visitors, walking and boot paths have been constructed.  

Registration is possible up to the day of the walk. After registering, you will receive information about the starting point.