Nature reserves in and near 's-Hertogenbosch

Sometimes you just want to get away. Away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre. Away from the childish suburbs or just enjoy the peace and quiet of nature. Or maybe you doubt whether you will be
able to find enough nature and relaxation
when you
move to 's-Hertogenbosch. In this article I will tell you more about a number of nature reserves in the immediate vicinity of, or even in the middle of, the city.

The Bossche Broek

Het Bossche Broek is located on the south side of 's-Hertogenbosch and is an old swamp area in the valley of the river Dommel. I have lived in 's-Hertogenbosch for some time now, but I never really understood what it means. A Broek is a low-lying area that stays wet because of rising groundwater or an area that lies along a river or stream and regularly floods and is under water for a long time in the winter. From the centre of 's-Hertogenbosch you can walk straight into the nature reserve and if you look back you can see the beautiful silhouette of 's-Hertogenbosch. In 1934, there were plans to turn the nature reserve into a residential area, can you imagine? Fortunately, those plans did not materialise and we can still enjoy the peace and quiet of nature from the city centre. In Het Bossche Broek, there are asphalt paths where you can cycle and/or skate, and sandy paths where you can take a lovely walk. In the area you will find meadows, reed beds and hay fields. Take your binoculars and go and look for lapwings, grebes or bluethroats. Pheasants and deer can also be seen regularly.

De Gement and De Moerputten

De Gement is the area between 's-Hertogenbosch-Drongelen and De Moerputten. In De Gement, two large pools and several ditches were excavated in the past to create a wet nature area. The area is home to many water birds, among others.
Adjacent to De Gement is the Moerputten area. The Moerputten bridge in the area is part of the former railway line 's-Hertogenbosch - Lage Zwaluwe. Via this railway line, semi-finished products destined for the shoe industry in De Langstraat, among other things, were transported. This is what the railway line's nickname refers to: Het Halve Zolenlijntje. Because the railway line was built in a wet area, it had to cross a bridge. The railway bridge has been a national monument since 1995 and, after various restorations, is in tip-top condition. Various walking routes have been marked out in the area. If you are visiting this area for the first time, be sure to take the route that allows you to walk over the bridge and bring your camera. The Moerputten bridge is very photogenic. In De Moerputten you will find low moorland swamps and therefore a great diversity of flora and fauna. If you are lucky, you may come across a Pimpernel blue, a butterfly species that almost disappeared from 's-Hertogenbosch and its surroundings.

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The Heinis

Unlike Het Bossche Broek and De Gement/De Moerputten, De Heinis lies in the middle of 's-Hertogenbosch between the buildings. It is a small oasis of peace and a natural backyard for the De Herven district, for example. The area contains a dike that was raised in the 14th century to protect 's-Hertogenbosch from the water. You will also find marshy areas, some woods and several wheels in the area. A wheel is a remnant of flooding, the swirling water created deep holes. I regularly encountered squirrels here, so pay attention if you walk or cycle here.

De Pettelaar country estate and adjacent areas

De Pettelaar country estate is located to the south of 's-Hertogenbosch. Together with Het Dooibroek, Het Sterrebos, Oud Herlaar and Landgoed Haanwijk, the estate forms a beautiful area. You get here via the 's-Hertogenbosch Zuid district, via Het Bossche Broek under the A2 motorway or from Halder or Sint-Michielsgestel. You can cycle and walk in the area. In the 17th century, part of the De Pettelaar area was excavated to raise the level of the fortified city of 's-Hertogenbosch. From 1748 onwards, the area was laid out more like an estate. This is not only visible in De Pettelaar, but also in Het Sterrebos and Landgoed Haanwijk. I find the most beautiful avenue near Huize Haanwijk, through which you can walk or cycle in the direction of Halder under beautiful old trees. The tawny owl feels at home here; in the garden at Huize Haanwijk, he or she is regularly seen during the day in one of the trees. Various walking routes have been marked out in the entire area, all of which are worthwhile. They lead you along the river De Dommel, marshlands and meadows and from a castle, to old farms and a stately country house. During one of these walks, I saw the kingfisher and the goldcrest. In addition to walking and cycling, you can visit the Romijns Halder Museum at Huize Haanwijk or have a drink at teahouse 't Haantje.

Country estate Coudewater and Country estate De Wamberg

Located between Rosmalen and Berlicum, a double convent was established on Coudewater estate until 1713. After the fall of 's-Hertogenbosch in 1629 and the suppression of the Catholic faith, the last inhabitants fled to Uden. Later, a psychiatric institution was established on the estate and since 2019 the estate has been developed for living, working and nature. On the estate there are many monumental trees such as plane trees and beech trees.
The De Wamberg estate has been owned by various prominent families from 's-Hertogenbosch and the surrounding area. The castle, Huis de Wamberg, which stands on the estate, dates from 1620, and you can still find several old farms on the estate. This area also suffered from high water. The name 'wam' is probably derived from 'wamen', which means mud that washes up. In order to provide food for the city of 's-Hertogenbosch, an agricultural landscape was created on the estates and a landscape plan was also designed for the castle garden. You can still see this today; there are lanes, water features and panoramas. The Landgoed de Wamberg is also known for its trees; here you will find oak and birch. In addition to many birds, a number of badger families live on Landgoed De Wamberg; the nature organisations are doing everything they can to ensure that they do not move away from this area. Follow the walk 'Ommetje Coudewater en De Wamberg' of almost 6 km and visit Landgoed Coudewater and Landgoed De Wamberg in one go.

The Vughtse Heide

This area is owned by the Ministry of Defence and is still regularly used for exercises. In the past, the area has seen a lot of defensive activities, but it has also been used for grazing cattle. In 1842, the area came into the hands of King Willem II and a fortress was built to defend 's-Hertogenbosch: Fort Isabella. Around the fortress eight lunettes were raised, a lunette is a crescent-shaped fortification surrounded by a moat. Three of these lunettes can still be distinguished in the landscape during your walk on the Vughtse Heide. The Second World War did not pass this area by either. The occupiers built concentration camp Vught here, which is now National Monument Camp Vught, which you can visit to learn more about the history of the camp. The Vughtse Heide is, because it is a combination of old trees, dense scrub, water and open spaces, an ideal habitat for birds. During your walk you will hear many woodpeckers and jays.