IVN nature walk Pannenhoef, Rijsbergen

De Pannenhoef is a unique and valuable nature reserve of more than 700 hectares, situated between Rijsbergen, Zundert and Sprundel, with a great variety of habitats.
The walk takes you along the avenues of the estate, through woods and past flower-rich meadows. There are high sandy soils, as well as pools and marshes. The valley of the Bie or Bijloop stream runs through the area. The Turfvaart canal is also located in this valley.
In earlier times, De Pannenhoef was covered by an enormous layer of peat. From around 1400 onwards, the peat was excavated, dried and transported via a network of waterways to the cities, where it was used as fuel.

After the peat cutters left at the end of the 17th century, a landscape of heathland, marshes and pools developed. Around 1800, people began reclaiming the area, turning it into woodland and farmland. To achieve this, the wet area had to be drained further. Drainage and over-fertilisation caused extensive damage to nature.

In 1970, Brabants Landschap became the manager of De Pannenhoef, and since then, extensive and highly successful work has been carried out to restore nature. In 1995, work began to excavate eleven former heathland pools that had disappeared. Today, the original marshland nature has returned. Rare marsh plants, such as marsh lousewort and marsh St John’s-wort, flourish here. Water birds, dragonflies, butterflies and amphibians have once again made this area their home. The rare moor frog has also returned.

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