Nature
De Groote Peel
Raised bog, log boardwalks and birds on the border
De Groote Peel at a glance
35 minby car
38.5 kmdistance
- Location
- Ospel
- Starting point
- Buitencentrum De Pelen, Moostdijk 15, 6035 RB Ospel
- Area
- over 1,300 hectares
- National park
- since 1993
- Parking
- free at the visitor centre
Raised bog and peat
De Groote Peel National Park covers more than 1,300 hectares of raised bog on the border of Limburg and North Brabant, in the municipalities of Nederweert, Asten and Peel en Maas. Peel means marshy place: a layer of loam kept the water from draining away, and peat moss grew into raised bog. It has been a national park since 1993, managed by Staatsbosbeheer, the Dutch forestry service, and is now part of De Peel National Park, together with the Deurnese Peel and the Mariapeel.
Between 1850 and 1930, peat was cut in the Peel on a large scale: the black gold of the Peel. On the Limburg side, every farmer cut peat on his own plot and carted it away along narrow tracks across the bog. You can still see those peat pits and tracks everywhere; the lake Aan ’t Elfde was once the eleventh plot where peat could be cut.
Across the boardwalks
From Buitencentrum De Pelen in Ospel, waymarked routes of 2, 3 and 6 kilometres lead into the bog. Over the wettest stretches, Staatsbosbeheer has laid log boardwalks, raised paths made of tree trunks. When the water is low, fossil tree stumps from the peat rise to the surface; locally they are called peelpuisten.
The Boswachterspad Mussenbaan, a ranger’s trail of 5.6 kilometres along dark blue posts, crosses the border between Limburg and Brabant and passes the Meerbaansblaak, which the rangers call the Night Watch of the Peel. Curlew, black-tailed godwit and grey partridge breed along the Mussenbaan; during migration and in winter, geese and ducks rest here.
Boswachterspad Mussenbaan on staatsbosbeheer.nl (opens in a new tab)
Birds and views
Water, space and quiet make De Groote Peel an internationally recognised wetland. More than a hundred bird species breed here, such as the bluethroat and the stonechat. Little grebes and black-necked grebes live on the pools, and during migration the crane touches down here with its trumpeting call.
Along the paved 2-kilometre path there is a bird hide and a lookout tower. At the Vossenberg, you look out over the area from the 22-metre Belfort tower; next to it are six casemates of the Peel-Raam Line from the Second World War.
Tip from reception
Start at Buitencentrum De Pelen in Ospel: parking is free and the park entrance is just across the road. From 15 October to 30 November and from 15 March to 15 July, parts of the area are closed; the waymarked routes of 2, 3 and 6 kilometres stay open. Bring binoculars.
Reception team, Parkhotel Horst
Good to know
Start and parkingBuitencentrum De Pelen, Moostdijk 15 in Ospel, is opposite the park entrance: free parking, an information desk, a shop and the Peelkiosk.
Waymarked routesPosts in yellow (2 km, paved, also suitable for wheelchairs and mobility scooters), red (3 km) and blue (6 km). The Boswachterspad Mussenbaan is 5.6 km.
Closed areasYou may walk here from sunrise to sunset. During the breeding season (15 March to 15 July) and the bird migration (15 October to 30 November), parts are closed.
Dogs and footwearDogs are welcome on a lead. Wear waterproof shoes: there can be quite a lot of water under the peat moss.
Photos: FrDr (CC BY-SA 4.0; also black-headed gull); via Wikimedia Commons. Dog photo: Aysun Kahraman Öktem via Pexels.
Make a day of it
From the breakfast buffet to the raised bog of De Groote Peel, and back to the wellness at your hotel.
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Start the day at the breakfast buffet of Parkhotel Horst.
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A little over half an hour’s drive to Ospel, then walk the Boswachterspad Mussenbaan: 5.6 kilometres over log boardwalks and past the Meerbaansblaak.
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Back in Horst, the indoor pool, the saunas and the wellness lounge are waiting for you, free for hotel guests.
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End the day with dinner at restaurant BØFF.
Hiking Package Limburg
Straight from the hotel into the Kasteelse Bossen woods, with coffee and Limburg vlaai on arrival and a 3-course dinner of your choice
p.p. per night · based on 2 people in a Comfort room
The discount applies once per room per stay starting on a Sunday.
How to get there
From the hotel, it takes about:
Buitencentrum De Pelen, Moostdijk 15, 6035 RB Ospel
Frequently asked questions
Any other questions? Call reception: +31 77 397 6000Where do you start a walk in De Groote Peel?
At Buitencentrum De Pelen, Moostdijk 15 in Ospel. It is opposite the park entrance and has a large, free car park. From Parkhotel Horst, it is about a 35-minute drive.
Which walking routes are there in De Groote Peel?
From the visitor centre, there are waymarked routes of 2 km (yellow), 3 km (red) and 6 km (blue), and the 5.6 km Boswachterspad Mussenbaan. The yellow route is paved and suitable for wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
Is De Groote Peel always open?
You may walk there from sunrise to sunset. During the breeding season (15 March to 15 July) and the bird migration (15 October to 30 November), parts are closed; the waymarked routes stay open. Check the signs at the entrance.
Can I bring my dog to De Groote Peel?
Yes, on a lead. Cycling in the nature reserve is only allowed on the cycle paths on the east and south sides.
What is the difference between De Groote Peel and De Peel National Park?
De Groote Peel has been a national park since 1993. That park is in transition to De Peel National Park, with three core nature areas: De Groote Peel, the Deurnese Peel and the Mariapeel.
More in Nature
See all days out in Nature
Photos (More in Nature): Aat van den Heuvel (CC BY 3.0); Sander van der Wel (CC BY-SA 2.0); via Wikimedia Commons.
After De Groote Peel: pool, wellness and dinner at BØFF
After a day in the raised bog, you sleep surrounded by greenery, with wellness under the same roof.
