Laarsenberg

The Laarsenberg is located in Rhenen, north of the provincial road N225. For many, it is an unknown area. Yet, it is well worth visiting: a mixture of deciduous and coniferous forests, a number of oak coppice woods, beautiful grain fields, and ditches on the former common lands of Rhenen.

From the Laarsenberg, you have beautiful views over Rhenen and the Gelderse Vallei, all the way to Veenendaal. The historical land use can still be seen well in the landscape, such as the coppice past and fields with ditches. A large part of the Laarsenberg is covered with coniferous and deciduous forests. Dead trees covered with mushrooms and mosses lie on the ground. The proportion of native shrubs and deciduous trees, such as rowan, birch, and oak, is gradually increasing. In the hollows of the old avenue trees lives the pine marten.

As early as the medieval period, fields were located on the slopes of the Laarsenberg. To prevent soil erosion, strips of grass with dense hedges were planted across the slopes. This created steep edges, called ditches. These are especially known from Limburg, making them particularly special here in the Laarsenberg. The ditches mainly consist of thorn bushes and are important for many animals. Birds find insects and a place to nest and hide.

The waving fields between the ditches turn golden yellow with purple and blue in the autumn. Utrechts Landschap cultivates grain here ecologically, focused on field herbs such as corn salad, cornflower, and poppy, as well as field birds like partridge, yellowhammer, and yellow wagtail. In winter, strips with herbs and grain remain as wintering places for insects and food for mice and birds.

The medieval meaning of the word 'laar' or 'laer' is: open field or uncultivated land. This meaning may well relate to the fact that the Laarsenberg was previously not forested. Until well into the 19th century, the area was primarily covered with heath. By now, a large part of the Laarsenberg is covered with forest.

In May 1940, fierce fighting took place in this area. The Dutch army resisted for four days against a German superior force, with 382 Dutch soldiers falling.

routeburo