Oisterwijkse Bossen en Vennen
A different experience every season: the Oisterwijkse Bossen & Vennen are special, relaxing and inspiring all year round. On the various walking, cycling and riding routes you will discover - whether or not accompanied by a forester - the beauty of one of the Netherlands' most unique nature reserves. For where can you find 80 fens in one nature reserve?
Four seasons area
In the Oisterwijkse Bossen en Vennen summer oaks were cultivated for the leather industry. The bark of the oaks contained tannic acid, an essential ingredient for tanning hides. After fifteen years, the oaks were stripped of their bark. This was then taken to the Kerkhovense Molen, which used to serve as a so-called run mill, a mill where run was ground from the dried oak bark. Thus, the trees contributed to the leather industry.
From the fairytale a...
A different experience every season: the Oisterwijkse Bossen & Vennen are special, relaxing and inspiring all year round. On the various walking, cycling and riding routes you will discover - whether or not accompanied by a forester - the beauty of one of the Netherlands' most unique nature reserves. For where can you find 80 fens in one nature reserve?
Four seasons area
In the Oisterwijkse Bossen en Vennen summer oaks were cultivated for the leather industry. The bark of the oaks contained tannic acid, an essential ingredient for tanning hides. After fifteen years, the oaks were stripped of their bark. This was then taken to the Kerkhovense Molen, which used to serve as a so-called run mill, a mill where run was ground from the dried oak bark. Thus, the trees contributed to the leather industry.
From the fairy-like frozen fens in winter, the dynamics of nature coming to life in spring and the musical croaking of frogs in summer to the explosion of colors in autumn; the Oisterwijkse Bossen & Vennen are a feast for all your senses. Spot kingfishers, deer and roe deer, or peer into the fens and ditches for a wide variety of insects and water creatures. And after a wonderfully active and/or sporty day, enjoy the peace and quiet and a healthy snack, lunch or dinner on one of the large terraces. Natuurpoort Groot Speijck has a beautiful visitor center with a terrace, but the terrace of Boshuis Venkraai is also a great place to be.
Natuurmonumenten and Nature Gates
The municipality of Oisterwijk has no less than four Nature Gates: starting points for cycling and walking tours through the most beautiful nature of Brabant. Natuurmonumenten also has a beautiful base in Oisterwijk. From the visitor center, various activities are organized in the woods, sometimes for free, sometimes for a fee. Go out with a forest ranger, go on an exciting (nighttime) scavenger hunt or discover typical regional products along the way. For children there is also a fantastic nature playground.
The Oisterwijkse Bossen & Vennen leaves few unmoved. Why not come and experience it for yourself?