17 trails in De Groote Peel National Park

De Groote Peel is a national park on the border of the provinces of Limburg and North Brabant, in the southeast of the Netherlands, and it protects one of the last remnants of the great raised bogs that once covered a large area of the region. The park offers a network of marked walking trails, in a range of lengths, that cross a landscape of peat, heath, small lakes, marshes and woodland. Together they provide a good way to see a habitat that has almost disappeared from the Netherlands.

The Peel was once a vast wilderness of bog, difficult to cross and sparsely inhabited. Over the centuries, people dug the peat for fuel, and in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries large areas were drained and turned into farmland. What survives is a patchwork, and the park's management aims to restore the wet conditions that allow the bog to regrow. Traces of peat cutting can still be seen as ponds and ditches, and these have become valuable habitats for plants and animals.

Birdlife is a major draw. In autumn, the park is famous for the arrival of cranes, which gather in the area on their migration south, and their calls and displays are a memorable sight. Throughout the year, the pools and marshes attract waterfowl, waders and birds of prey, and heathland species such as stonechats and nightjars can be found. Dragonflies are abundant in summer, and the bog plants, including cotton grass and sundews, make a distinctive sight. Observation points and hides give opportunities to watch wildlife without disturbing it.

The trails are well signposted and vary in length from short strolls to longer hikes of several hours. Most are flat, but boardwalks and sandy paths can be wet or soft, so waterproof shoes are advisable. A visitor centre provides maps and information, and there are picnic spots and cafes nearby. Cycling is allowed on some routes outside the most sensitive areas.

The park suits walkers, birdwatchers, photographers and families who enjoy nature. Spring and autumn are especially rewarding. Keep to marked paths, keep dogs on leads where required and avoid disturbing the wildlife. Bring water and binoculars, and check the opening arrangements of the visitor centre.