A different experience in every season: Oisterwijk's Forests & Fens are exquisite, tranquil and inspiring all year round. Different footpaths, cycle routes and horse trails will lead you – with or without the aid of a forest ranger – through the beauty of one of the Netherlands' most unique areas of nature. There are no less than 80 fens in this stunning green expanse – pretty impressive, right?

Four seasons
Whether it’s the frozen fairy-tale fens of the winter, the dynamics of nature coming to life in spring, the musical croaking of frogs in the summer, or the explosion of colours in the autumn: Oisterwijk's Forests & Fens are a feast for all the senses.

Spot kingfishers, deer and roe deer, or bear witness to the wide variety of insects and water creatures in the fens and ditches. And after an exhilarating day of activity or sport, head to one of the large terraces to enjoy the peace and quiet and a tasty snack, lunch or dinner.Oisterwijk's Forests & Fens Groot Speijck Visitor Centre has a great terrace, as does Boshuis Venkraai. And both are ideal places to relax and soak up the surroundings.

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The old robust lock gates and the friendly lock keeper's houses offer a beautiful view of the Volkerak and the nature reserves outside the dike, Slikken van de Heen and Dintelse Gorzen. The Slikken van de Heen on the Brabant side is not accessible to visitors. However, the Dintelse Gorzen can be visited by hikers. Natuurmonumenten has set out a walking route here that makes it possible to experience this beautiful and unique nature up close.
Next to the lock is an old bunker from the Second World War. This was built by the Germans at the time as part of the so-called 'Atlantic Wall' and served as a defence against possible attacks from the current Volkerak. Nowadays, the Information Centre for the West Brabant Waterline is located here.

Nature port Benedensas is the starting point for a beautiful walk, canoe, sloop or bike ride through the water-rich edge of the Brabantse Wal. Stroll along paths through the bird paradise of Dintelse Gorzen or experience the serene tranquility of the Steenbergsche Vliet by canoe. There is also plenty to discover at Benedensas itself. Take a tour of the historic lock complex,

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National Park
The Biesbosch National Park consists of the following major parts:
•Sliedrechtse Biesbosch
The most northern part of the Biesbosch. This is the part of the Biesbosch with the most significant tidal influence (one of the distinctive characteristics of the Biesbosch). The Sliedrechtse Biesbosch is named after the town of Sliedrecht, which was drowned during the creation of the Biesbosch and was later rebuilt on the other side of the river Beneden Merwede (one of the borders of the Biesbosch). The eastern part of the Sliedrechtse Biesbosch is one of the few areas in the Netherlands that has an intact system of river dunes.
•Hollandse Biesbosch
The westernmost part of the Biesbosch and the largest remnant of the (once much larger) South Hollandic part of the Biesbosch. The Hollandse Biesbosch is the part of the National Park best known for its birds.
•Brabantse Biesbosch (Zuidwaard)
The eastern and largest part of the Biesbosch, which is separated from the rest of the Biesbosch by the Nieuwe Merwede river (which serves as the borderline between the provinces of South Holland and North Brabant). The Brabantse Biesbosch can be divided into three parts, from which only the so-called Zuidwaard belongs to the National Park. The Zuidwaard of the Brabantse Biesbosch has fewer fields of reeds and sedges compared to the rest of the National Park and consists mostly of willow forests.
Other
The National Park occupies only half of the original Biesbosch area. The other half has been reclaimed and consists mostly of farmland. It can be divided into several parts as well:
•Dordtse Biesbosch
The part of the Biesbosch that borders the city of Dordrecht. It is located between the Sliedrechtse Biesbosch and the Hollandse Biesbosch. Although the Dordtse Biesbosch has largely an agricultural destination, it also contains several recreational areas which serves as the "playground" for the people of Dordrecht.

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Heusden’s history began around the year 1200 with the establishment of an urban settlement beside the River Maas. Its heyday was the construction of the fortifications: from the end of the 16th century Heusden was a garrison town accommodating thousands of soldiers. Then, mostly as now, the town resembled the 17th century drawings made by the Amsterdam cartographer Joan Blaeu: a fortification surrounded by sturdy earthwork ramparts with bastions, moats and ravelins. The Second World War inflicted much damage and human suffering. Subsequently the town was fully restored, honouring Heusden with the highest European award, the ‘Europa Nostra’ prize for restoration. This charming town is certainly worth a visit. Wander through its picturesque streets and alleyways and discover numerous buildings dating back centuries. This historic setting is the home to galleries, speciality shops, friendly restaurants and pavement cafes. There are well-equipped harbours for tourists arriving by water and there are lovely views of the town, the river and the surrounding countryside from the ramparts.

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The Patersmoer nature reserve was off limits for a long time, but is now part of the public smuggling path . Here it is not difficult to imagine the legendary smuggling; there is still a grim and mysterious atmosphere. In Strijbeek, the old smuggling route has been opened to the public as a walking route. This runs from the Goudbergven to the Belgian nature reserve Den Elsakker and back to the Strijbeekse Heide, towards the fen Zwarte Goor and the Langven. The walk takes you along high sandy ridges, heath and fly pines. It is as if nature has stood still in this place; an authentic piece of Brabant nature. Along the way you pass the 'disappeared' boundary marker 216b and an artificial nesting site for bees, plus the Chapel of the Sacred Heart.

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