Oeffelt Maashegge.

This beautiful route goes along the Oeffeltse Raam, through the small Vilt, the village center of Oeffelt, and the Natura 2000 area Oeffelter Meent. About 13,000 years ago, the Vilt was an old branch of the Meuse. The Vilt is now a marsh area with a large pond and a fringe of deciduous forest. In the woods, a few badger burrows are hidden.
The combination of pond, marsh, and forest with a large pond attracts many birds.
The Maasheggen landscape is an ancient landscape that is unique in Western Europe. It is located between Mook and Bergen, but on the Brabant side of the Meuse, it has survived agricultural mechanization the best. Here, there are numerous small plots separated by woven hedges of, among others, hawthorn and blackthorn. In between, elder, dog rose, honeysuckle, etc. grow. Thus, massive livestock hedges have formed that are particularly a delight to the eye in spring. The maasheggen provide excellent cover for numerous birds and other animals, resulting in an exceptionally rich flora and fauna.

Between junction 97 and 51, you walk straight through the Natura 2000 area Oeffelter Meent and the fine-grained hedgeland. Between junction 53 and 61, there are numerous woven Maasheggen.