Great bike ride around the Vessem fens

The start of this 40 km route is near the Brabant hamlet of Hoogcasteren. The course is set through a beautiful part of the province of North Brabant, characterized by varied nature with the stream De Beerze as meandering watercourse. After about ten kilometers we arrive at the village of Winterle, the area of the Vessemse fens, beautifully situated in the middle of forest area Buikheid and Oude Molen. The Grootven measures no less than 19 ha, making it one of the larger fens in the province. The history of water abstraction has resulted in special and exuberant plant growth here, including the rather rare needlewort and the small bladderwort. The moor frog has also created its habitat here. The route continues towards the village of Vessem, where the Jacobus Mill and the St. Lambert Church are eye-catching objects, well worth a visit. Also beautiful is the hedgerow landscape in and around the hamlets of Kuikseind and Westelbeers, where the Lady Chapel, originally dating from the 16th century, is an important historical National Monument. Next we arrive in Casteren, whose name refers to an ancient Roman army town at the time of Julius Caesar. The Sint-Willibrordkerk and adjacent presbytery form an interesting sight here, before the route turns off to Hoogeloon, whose attractions include the beautiful Sint Pancratiuskerk.