Steegse Loop

The Steegse loop is a watercourse that was excavated in the past to drain the water and make the Wijboschbroek drier.

The Wijboschbroek was once an area with marsh forests. Over time, the trees were felled and fields were established. But as the name suggests: it remained a 'broek', a wet area. By the end of the 19th century, the farmers gave up, embankments were created, and trees were replanted. This marked the beginning of the Wijboschbroek as we know it today.

The flora of the Wijboschbroek is unique due to the soil and the high water level. In spring, the Wood Anemone and the Slender Primrose bloom here. But rarer plant species such as the One-Bird and the Blue-Black Rapunzel can also be admired here. Later in the year, wild hop also grows here. The first trees planted were poplars. The wood was used to make clogs.

After 1945, coniferous species such as Scots Pine, Douglas Fir, Larch, and Norway Spruce were introduced. Because it is a varied forest, there are also many different birds. The nightingale, the golden oriole, the reed warbler, as well as birds of prey such as the sparrowhawk, the goshawk, and the buzzard can be found here. Additionally, predatory animals such as the polecat, the stoat, the weasel, and the fox also inhabit this forest. On the edge of the forest, we often encounter roe deer in the morning or at dusk.

The numerous ponds and ditches are the domain of the common toad, the brown and green frog, the smooth newt and the crested newt. A number of owl boxes for the tawny owl and the barn owl are present in the forest.

Avontuurlijke Wandelingen