AstenseAa1 Helmond-Vlierden

(Click on the bold words for more information, not available via the app, but through the website.)
This walking route is part of a series of walking routes, including two routes from A to B and from B to C, along with four circular routes that overlap with the first two. This first circular walk takes you through the valley of the Astense Aa near Vlierden and connects to the second circular walk AstenseAa2 Vlierden-Liessel.

The Astense Aa flows from the Verheven Peel to the Aa between coversand hills and low land dunes that slope northwestward. This coversand landscape was formed during the last Ice Age (approximately 116,000 to 11,700 years ago). Between Vlierden and Helmond, the formation of the creek only began when the valley was developed during the Middle Ages. Previously, the marshland and wet woods were hardly accessible. Especially from the Full Middle Ages (10th – 13th century), the landscape underwent significant changes. The traces of these changes are still recognizable in the forms of roads and paths, creek crossings, settlements and hamlets, old fields, dug waterways, and wooded banks. Although agricultural activities remain important for the appearance of this area, urbanization is also evident. Encroaching industrial estates, highways, the expansion of village centers, and farms converted into spacious residences bear witness to this. In recent decades, there has been increasing awareness of nature conservation and restoration. Water Board Aa en Maas plays an active role in this.

This walking route begins at the HMVC (Helmond Model Flying Club) site on the Stipdonkse Goorweg. Parking is available along this road, but also along the unpaved Kadeweg between the Aa and the Zuid-Willemsvaart. From the parking area, a car-free walking path leads to the mouth of the Astense Aa, which is 350 meters away. From there, you follow the left bank (upstream) to the Ommelse Forest and return on the other side through Vlierden and Belgeren back to the starting point.

The route goes over paved and unpaved country roads. Along the way, there are relics from past landscape formations and landscape (re)development visible. Nature reserves and agricultural landscapes alternate. Experience the landscape where the first farming communities emerged and how medieval population growth influenced the landscape. Also, see how nature is under pressure and how people are trying to achieve a balance between humanity and nature here and there.