The best running trails in Zevenhuizensche Heide

The formerly dull woodland area has undergone a metamorphosis and has consequently become very attractive for walking. The area has transformed into a beautiful landscape with forests, fens, and heathland. The area is grazed by various types of grazers such as horses, cows, sheep, and Scottish Highland cattle. In winter, crossbills can sometimes be found in the tops of the Norway spruces. They feast on the seeds from the cones. Various walking routes have been marked out in the area, ranging from 4 to 9 km. These are accessible from the parking lot near the Keelven on the Provincialeweg in Someren (address: Bosrandweg 6 Someren) and the De Vlerken parking lot on the road from Someren to Lierop. The area is included in the Someren walking, mountain bike, and equestrian route network.

On the edge of the Strabrechtse Heide lie the Somerense Bossen, including the area around the Keelven. The area features a beautiful fen landscape. The fens were formed by the wind blowing sand. Water remains in the fens thanks to the impermeable loam layer in the subsoil. The fens are fed exclusively by rainwater. From 1930 onwards, the heathland was reclaimed and turned into a production forest, primarily planted with Scots pine. Since the primary function for timber production (former mining) disappeared and the quality of the conifers is mediocre, the nature development project “Keelven and Surroundings” was started in 1998. The aim was to make the area more attractive for recreation and to restore the heathland landscape. To achieve this, 15 hectares of poorly growing conifers were cleared and several smaller fens were dredged.

keelven a beautiful piece of nature

The place is not only suitable for bird watching, you can also take a break here on a bench with a table.

This reconstruction of the 'Death Wire' gives an excellent impression of the impact of this German barrier during WWI on the area and its inhabitants. Along this reconstruction are information boards that provide walkers with additional information about the original construction in 1916, the many escape methods that were attempted from Belgium to the Netherlands, but also the dramatic stories that took place at the wire.

Border post 176 with Baroniepaal: a square post with on one side ‘Baronie van Hees en Leen’ and on the other side ‘Baronie van Cranendonck’, Bergbosweg, Budel. Also a well-known place for illegal border crossings. Old name of this place is “Aan de Kattenput”. This point also marks the border between the Belgian municipality of Hamont-Achel, and the (former) municipalities of Leende, Gastel and Budel.

When the border treaty between Belgium and the Netherlands was signed in 1843, it was decided to place 388 border posts, numbered from 1 to 364. At some points where the Maas forms the border, there are two posts, one on the Dutch side and one on the Belgian side. Later, extra posts were placed at the end, because a piece of land, and therefore a piece of border, was added due to land reclamation. In the meantime, some posts have also been lost and here and there an extra one has been added. There are probably now just over 400. The posts are made of cast iron and weigh 372 kilograms. Each post is provided with the Belgian Lion on the Belgian side and the Dutch Lion with sword and arrows on the other side. And each post has a number. The numbers run from border post number 1 at the Drielandenpunt in Vaals, to 369 in Zeeuws Vlaanderen. The year 1843 is on almost all posts.

Here you can spot barnacle geese, greylag geese and large Canada geese.