Astense Aa – from Leensel to the Peel

(Click on the bold words for more information, not available via the app, but available via the website.)
This walking route is part of a series of walks, of which two routes go from A to B and from B to C, and four circular routes that overlap with the first two.

Astense Aa - from Helmond to Leensel
Astense Aa - from Leensel to the Peel

AstenseAa1 Helmond-Vlierden   (coming soon)
AstenseAa2 Vlierden-Liessel    (coming soon)
AstenseAa3 Liessel-Neerkant (coming soon)
AstenseAa4 Neerkant-Meijel    (coming soon)

The Astense Aa flows from the Elevated Peel to the Aa between covering sand heads and low land dunes that slope towards the northwest. This cover sand landscape was formed during the last ice age (approximately 116,000 to 11,700 years ago).

The upper course of the Astense Aa has undergone a different development than the lower course.
From the Full Middle Ages (11th – 13th century), local interventions in the heath and marsh landscape along the upper course were only gradual. It was not until the first half of the 20th century that extensive peat extraction took place, and the land consolidation and scale enlargement in the second half of the last century has had a significant impact. To drain the heathlands and peat areas, the meandering stream was extended upstream with a straight drainage channel.
Let your imagination run wild and think about how the vast meadows of today were once expansive heath fields and impenetrable peat marshes. Not everything you encounter along the way is arable land; restored nature areas can also be admired. This shows that insights have changed.

The first part of the total walking route takes you through the catchment area of the Astense Aa from the mouth at Helmond to the hamlet of Leensel. The second part of the walking route goes from Leensel to the 'source' at the Canal of Deurne. That source, or better said inlet, is located at the Canal of Deurne east of Neerkant. Together, both parts total 23.3 km.

Tip: The start and stop locations are difficult to reach by public transport. For those with a car with a bike carrier, it is advisable to take the bike to the stopping point, then drive to the starting point, make the walk to the bike, and finally ride the bike back to the starting point.

Parking in Leensel is not an issue, and parking at the Canal of Deurne is also manageable. The parking option at the inlet of the Astense Aa can be reached from Neerkant via the Scheper Jannebaan or better from Meijel via the Molenbaan.