Leenderheide

The Groote Heide, also known as Leenderheide, is a nature reserve of 333 hectares, located on the territory of the Dutch municipalities of Heeze-Leende and Geldrop-Mierlo. It is in the possession of Het Brabants Landschap.

The area is enclosed on almost all sides by other nature reserves and used to be part of a large contiguous heathland between Eindhoven and Achel. However, it is partly cut off from its surroundings by the A2 and A67 motorways, which meet at the Leenderheide junction. To give animals the opportunity to overcome this barrier, an ecoduct has been constructed over the A2 motorway. Hikers and cyclists have access to three viaducts. To the north of this area is the Stratumse Heide, to the west is the Aalsterhut or "Hut van Mie Pils", a tavern with a terrace at a very well-known junction of 'through' cycling routes. Beyond that are Valkenhorst with adjoining estates and to the south the vast Heide on the Diepmeerven, owned by the municipality of Heeze-Leende with several large fens. To the east, there are also some private and municipal forests and scattered agricultural enclaves.

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