De Gooren and Krochten

De Gooren and Krochten

Routing Shortest - OSM, Manual

GPS Recording of May 9, 2021

For a slightly longer walk but not doable in wetter periods : https://www.routeyou.com/nl-nl/route/view/8028687/wandelroute/de-gooren-en-krochten-uitbreiding-de-beemden

Borderless nature at the border ? Jump over the ditch and you are in Belgium, jump back and you are back in the Netherlands. The ditch in this case is the Goorloop on the eastern edge of the municipality of Zundert. This water flows through a very varied nature area and in some places indicates the border with our southern neighbors. Walking along the fens and the drifting sand ridges you will notice that this is anything but monotonous area. If you look to the left, you will see a completely different landscape than when you look to the right. In the lower wet areas you will find fens and swamps. The higher sand ridges are mainly overgrown with coniferous trees and open heathland. High in the sky, the birds of prey are circling and watching you closely.

A unique area. De Gooren en Krochten is an elongated area consisting of three swampy landscapes. These are interspersed with higher drier areas. Together this ensures that the nature area forms a unique combination of all kinds of plants and trees. Some of these are even very rare and special. For example, the strongly scented gale, the yellow rattling rattle and the small carnivorous sundew grow there. Also special are trees such as the sea pine and an avenue with old oaks.

Maxburg Castle.

From a cultural-historical point of view, the area is also interesting. Just across the border in Belgium is maxburg castle. The part de Krochten borders the estate that used to belong to the castle. Together with an old oak avenue, four large stone vases formerly formed the boundary of this estate. One of these vases has been preserved. More information about Maxburg Castle can be found at the vase where you will not pass during the walk but will see in the distance.