Naturegate Vennenhorst

Nature gate Vennenhorst in Someren;

The starting point for all kinds of routes in the beautiful De Heihorsten nature park, with forests, heaths and various nice fens, of which the Keelven is the largest. You will find different types of grazers here, such as horses, cows, sheep and Scottish Highlanders. This area is very popular with walkers and cyclists because of the many signposted walking and cycling routes. There are signposted mountain bike trails for ATB riders and the nature reserve is accessible via various equestrian routes for riders. Special are the specially constructed paved Allemansroutes that are accessible for pushchairs, wheelchairs or mobility scooters. The educational Nature Learning Path has resting points along the way with picnic sets and beautiful viewpoints. From Natuurpoort Vennenhorst you can also easily reach the Strabrechtse Heide,

The Keelven area;

The Keelven project aims to revive the Somerense heath as a walking area by alternating the regular, rectangular afforestation pattern with a few large pieces of heathland with ponds that resemble ponds. These are actually not real fens, given the artificial origin, but as a walking area the Keelven eo can certainly be called a success. The area fulfills a clear function as a suitable alternative to some much more vulnerable forest, heathland and fen areas in the area, such as the Beuven. The entrance to the Keelven area is located at the Natuurpoort Vennenhorst on the Provincialeweg Someren-Heeze, where various walking routes have been set out from the large parking lot, such as the Keelvenroute, the Witvenroute, the Bontvenroute and the wheelchair-accessible Allemanspadroute! The parking lot is also the starting point of the informative and educational Nature Learning Path! The Keelven area is also on the Cycle Route Network at nodes 31 and 98! The Mountain bike route De Somerense Heideroute of 13 or 25 km runs along the Keelven and through the Somerense Heide and the Boksenberg.

The Strabrechtse Heide; 

The Strabrechtse Heide nature reserve is one of the largest heath areas in the Netherlands and offers a varied landscape of forest and heathland with idyllic fens. The Beuven is the largest fen in the Netherlands. On the dry places you will find heather and juniper, on the wet places Dophei, Pijpenstratjes, Gagel and Bell gentian. Grassification of the heathland is counteracted by grazing by a flock of sheep, by mowing and by sod cutting. The heath is surrounded by forests. The vastness of the area makes it wonderfully quiet for walking and cycling.

The Beuven (pronounced: Beu-ven) is the largest fen (approx. 85 ha) on the Strabrechtse Heide and the largest fen in the Netherlands. Het Beuven is known for its special bird life and is also famous for its special plant growth. The banks of the Beuven are fragile and therefore not accessible, but from the bird hide and the viewing screen you have a good overview of the most beautiful points of the fen. Regular guests are the great egret, green-legged sandpiper, white-tailed eagle and osprey. A striking migrant is the crane. Highly recommended is the Beuven walking route (5 km), which you can easily start from Natuurpoort Vennenhorst.

The beautiful Witven was created naturally. During the ice age, the so-called cover sand was created here. In that period, this sand was supplied by the wind and in many places in the Netherlands it is still on the surface. At a later stage, this cover sand was locally blown up, forming bowls and drifting or cover sand ridges. As the groundwater rose, these bowls filled up. The Witven was created in such a freshwater basin. The name is probably derived from witzandven. Enjoy the beautiful Witven walking route (6 km) or the walking route along the farm terrace and forest café (8 km). 

Eating and drinking at Natuurpoort Vennenhorst;

At Natuurpoort Vennenhorst you can enjoy delicious food and drinks at boscafé de Soete Inval. Enjoy a fresh cup of coffee, a Burgundian lunch or delicious pancakes. You can enjoy a nice walk or bike ride in the forest café, the conservatory or just enjoy the sun on the terrace. There is a children's play area and dogs are welcome. There is also an 18-hole adventure mini golf course, billiards golf and a petanque court.