Nature
- Adventure track Docus the Badger
Situated in the woods near the town of Schaik this lovely “play, learn and walk” path stretches just under a mile along nice playground apparatus where you get to climb trees, crawl through caves, splash around in the water and test your knowledge of nature with questions posted along the route.
The Stroeken family farm borders the Trentse Bossen, an exceptional forest steeped in history, that you enter straight from your tent. You can roll or run down the hill of the former shooting range that was once part of the Volkel Royal Airforce base. Behind the woods you find “The German Track”, an old railroad that played a role during WWII
Keent is a nature reserve on the banks of the Maas river between the towns of Ravenstein and Grave. It truly is a beautiful piece of nature with a variety of rural land, forest, lawns, swamp and water. It hosts herds of larger grazers, (primitive) horses, cattle, large groups of geese and other aquatic birds. It’s probably best described as like going on a domestic Dutch safari.
Culture
- Fortified cities of Grave and Ravenstein
Situated on the Maas river the fortified City of Grave dates back centuries and is definitely worth visiting with its monumental picturesque city centre, shops and terraces. Ravenstein is a bit more upstream on the Maas river and has a historic centre with a windmill, picturesque houses and city gates dating back to the times of the Castle of Ravenstein.
Volkel Airforce Base is one of the three main operating Dutch bases, home to the F-16 and soon also the JSF. Daily test flights operate from here so chances are you’ll spot a fighter jet fly over. True fans can visit the Airforce Base during the “Airforce Days” event or observe the jets from one of the allocated spotters’ locations.
- The fortified City of Den Bosch
About 40 minutes away by car the City of Den Bosch is well worth a visit. Cycle or walk on and along the city walls, visit the Sint Jan cathedral or go “underground” and take a boat tour on the Binnendieze waterways through and under Den Bosch. No visit to this city would be complete without tasting the famous local pastry and cream delicacy Bossche Bol.