IVN Nature walk in the Mastbos

Sunday morning 7 December the nature guides from IVN Mark & Donge will take you on a walk through the Mastbos – the oldest cultivated forest in the Netherlands.

This forest of approximately 600 hectares belonged for centuries to the lords of Breda. According to old writings, Hendrik III, Count of Nassau and Lord of Breda, planted the Scotch pine around 1515 for timber production. Steward Montens investigated the suitability of the area at the time, and the accounts for the seed from Germany have been preserved. The forest served not only as a source of quality timber but also primarily as a hunting ground for the ducal and later princely court.

Over the centuries, the Mastbos was continually expanded. In 1621, a new afforestation plan was designed: a rectangle measuring 1350 by 1250 meters, known as the “Maurits Square”, with the “Eternal Lane” as the diagonal axis. In 1899, management was transferred to the recently established Staatsbosbeheer. Since then, the forest is no longer a hunting ground, and the focus has shifted to nature conservation and recreation.

In 2006, nature restoration plans were carried out: the Turf Pond and the marsh zones were dredged again. Also, many old, uniform coniferous plots have been felled in recent years, causing the Mastbos to continuously rejuvenate and become richer in different types of nature.

In December, a mysterious mist often hangs over the fields. The trees and plants are bare, the forest settles after an exuberant year, but is already preparing for a new spring.

After registering, you will receive information about the departure point.