Nature
Reindersmeer and Leukermeer
Heath, drift sand and deep blue water near Well
Reindersmeer and Leukermeer at a glance
20 minby car
15.1 kmdistance
- Location
- Well
- Address
- Bosserheide 3e, 5855 EA Well (visitor centre)
- Routes
- green and white approx. 2.5 km, red approx. 8 km
- Area
- Reindersmeer 130 ha, Leukermeer 80 ha
- Parking
- at the visitor centre
Two lakes and an old lock
Both lakes were dug. From 1963 to 2001, sand and gravel were extracted in the municipality of Bergen: in the 1960s this created the Leukermeer, now an 80-hectare recreational lake, and in 1971 the excavation of the Bergerheide began, from which the Reindersmeer grew. After protests by environmental groups, most of the Bergerheide was spared and the 130-hectare lake was landscaped with nature in mind. Since 2001 the municipality of Bergen has managed it as part of the national park.
Between the two lakes lies the old lock, through which at least 22,500 ships loaded with sand and gravel passed. Since 2012, Bezoekerscentrum De Maasduinen, the visitor centre built by Het Limburgs Landschap, has hung inside the lock chamber, with Bosbrasserie In de Sluis and a terrace above the water. The lock wall beneath it keeps the Reindersmeer from draining away.
Bezoekerscentrum De Maasduinen on natuurparkenlimburg.nl (opens in a new tab)
Around the Reindersmeer
From the visitor centre, three routes with coloured posts set off: the green and white routes of about 2.5 kilometres and the red route of about 8 kilometres. The white route crosses a wooden bridge of more than 100 metres, with views over the lake, and passes the bird hide on a hill on the east side. This route is also suitable for wheelchairs.
From the hide you can see ducks, geese and herons; sand martins and kingfishers nest in the banks, and bluethroat, harrier and osprey are seen here regularly. On the red route, you pull yourself about 100 metres across the water on a small cable ferry, which shortens the route to 4 kilometres.
Routes and route leaflets on natuurparkenlimburg.nl (opens in a new tab)
Drift sand and blue water on the Bergerheide
In places the Reindersmeer is more than 20 metres deep and strikingly blue. Along the shores, steep banks, small sandy beaches with little lagoons, heathland fens and drift sand alternate. Along the red route, the geological trail explains on information panels how the fens, the sand drifts and the lake itself came into being.
The lake links the Bergerheide in Well with De Hamert in Wellerlooi, right in the heart of De Maasduinen National Park. On the other side of the lock lies the Leukermeer, with a marina connected to the Maas and a sandy beach.
Tip from reception
Park at the visitor centre and start with the white route of 2.5 kilometres: across the long wooden bridge and past the bird hide, so bring binoculars. Fancy more? Then take the red route and cross on the small cable ferry. Check the visitor centre’s opening hours on natuurparkenlimburg.nl before you go, as they vary by season.
Reception team, Parkhotel Horst
Good to know
Three routesGreen and white about 2.5 km, red about 8 km. All three start at the visitor centre and follow coloured posts.
Cable ferryYou pull the little ferry yourself along a steel cable across about 100 metres of water. That shortens the red route to 4 kilometres.
Walking networkAs well as the route posts, you will see junction posts of the walking network and the yellow and red stripe of the Maas-Niederrhein regional trail (streekpad).
SwimmingNot in the Reindersmeer. You can at the beach of the Leukermeer: € 5 per person if you are not staying there (2026).
Photos: Marion Golsteijn (CC BY-SA 4.0, cable ferry); via Wikimedia Commons. Beach photo: 2H Media via Unsplash.
Make a day of it
From the breakfast buffet to two lakes in De Maasduinen, 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 twenty-minute drive, then walk across heath and drift sand along the Reindersmeer, which is more than 20 metres deep in places.
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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:
Bezoekerscentrum De Maasduinen, Bosserheide 3e, 5855 EA Well
Frequently asked questions
Any other questions? Call reception: +31 77 397 6000Can you swim in the Reindersmeer?
No, swimming and fishing are not allowed in the Reindersmeer; the lake is there for walkers, cyclists and horse riders. You can swim at the beach of the Leukermeer; if you are not staying there, it costs € 5 per person (2026).
How long are the walking routes around the Reindersmeer?
From Bezoekerscentrum De Maasduinen, the green and white routes of about 2.5 kilometres and the red route of about 8 kilometres set off, all three with coloured posts. With the cable ferry, you turn the red route into a 4-kilometre walk.
How does the cable ferry at the Reindersmeer work?
You pull the little ferry across by hand along a steel cable, over about 100 metres of water. It is on the red route and halves its length.
How did the Reindersmeer come into being?
Through sand and gravel extraction. In 1971 the excavation of the Bergerheide began; the Leukermeer had already been created in the same way in the 1960s. A lock connects the two lakes, and the visitor centre now hangs inside that old lock.
Can you get around the Reindersmeer in a wheelchair?
Yes, two routes are suitable for wheelchairs. The white route crosses the bridge of more than 100 metres and passes the bird hide, which is also accessible.
Where do you park at the Reindersmeer?
At Bezoekerscentrum De Maasduinen, Bosserheide 3e in Well. There is plenty of parking, and the walking routes start here. From Parkhotel Horst it is 15 kilometres, about 20 minutes by car.
More in Nature
See all days out in Nature
Photos (More in Nature): Jac. Janssen (CC BY 2.0); Sander van der Wel (CC BY-SA 2.0); via Wikimedia Commons.
Photos: Campinia88 (CC BY-SA 4.0); Trougnouf (Benoit Brummer) (CC BY 4.0); Velopilger (CC BY-SA 4.0); via Wikimedia Commons.
After the lakes: pool, wellness and dinner at BØFF
Twenty minutes from De Maasduinen, you sleep surrounded by greenery, with wellness under the same roof.