Top 20 Lakes around Son En Breugel

restaurant and cafe with large parking lot on the edge of the Hurkse nature reserve

The Wasvenvijver pond is located in the Wasven nature reserve, north of Helmond near Gerwen. It's a small but unique natural area where forest, open spaces, and cultural history converge. The pond itself owes its name to its historical use: linen and textiles were once washed and bleached here in the clear water. Today, it's a peaceful spot to pause for a moment during a walk, surrounded by winding trees and diverse vegetation. Together with the surrounding paths, the Wasvenvijver pond forms a beautiful and characteristic oasis in the Brabant landscape.

Torreven can be admired in all its splendor

On the east side of Eindhoven lies the Karpendonkse Plas, a large city lake created in the 1950s by sand quarrying. Where sand was once extracted, you'll now find a diverse nature and recreation area. The lake is surrounded by walking and cycling paths and is a popular spot for those seeking peace and quiet, fishermen, and sports enthusiasts. In the morning and evening, a serene tranquility often reigns here, and you can spot numerous waterfowl, such as grebes, cormorants, and geese. In summer, the water sparkles in the sun, and along the banks you'll see flowers and reeds, giving the landscape a natural look. The Karpendonkse Plas also has cultural significance: annual events are held here, but nature prevails most of the time. Its location, close to the center of Eindhoven yet with an open and green atmosphere, makes it an ideal spot for a short walk or to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

In the far west lies a military complex and south of the Mariahoutse Bossen one finds the Heieindse Loop. The area connects to the Vresselse Bos in the west, to the forests of Olen and Mosbulten in the southwest, and to the forests Lijnt and Het Geregt in the east. North of the area lies an extensive agricultural development. In the southeast a small marsh area, the Rietven, connects to the Mariahoutse Bossen. This is now a marsh area with birch and summer oaks. The area is freely accessible. There are walks, bridle paths and an extensive mountain bike trail has been set out in the forest.

The Mariahoutse Bossen, also called Lieshoutse Bossen or Lieshoutse Heide, is an elongated Dutch forest area of 158 ha that is located immediately north of Mariahout. The forest, which is owned by the municipality of Laarbeek, is a young heathland development and mainly consists of plantations of Scots pine, although other tree species can also be found, such as beech. In the southwest of the area lies the Torreven (sometimes also called Torrenven or Torenven). This is an elongated fen that threatened to silt up and was cleaned up in 1992. The area surrounded by heathland remnants is now managed in such a way that the forest edge is pushed back, which counteracts silting up because the wind has more play on the water surface. Here and there, parts are also being stripped of sods and the area is grazed by sheep.

Great heathland with some small lakes, which in previous years obviously were not as big as this year, as the grass was growing in the water at the edge and some of the paths near the shore were impassable.

From the Cornelis Chapel in Boerdonk, walking routes and a wheelchair route have been set out through the area. On the edge of Het Hurkske you will find De Boswachter, a coffee and tea house where you can relax after a nice walk through nature.