De Heidsche Peel nature reserve
In the early 1960s, this was one of the very last major heathland reclamations in the Netherlands. Because this reclamation largely failed, a 'chessboard pattern' has formed in which blocks of farmland and nature reserve alternate. The province of Limburg has now started buying up some 60 ha of the agricultural land lying between the nature reserve to give it back to nature.
Nature trail
Heidsche Peel consists of raised bog remnants, birch forest, dry and damp heathland and still has special and well-preserved natural values, especially in and around some 'farm pits' (peat pits left over after small-scale peat extraction). Junction 59 takes you to the Defensiekanaal (Peel Canal). This canal was dug in 1939 as an anti-tank ditch and part of the Peel-Raamstelling. Further along the Defence Canal are also some casemates.
At numbered junction 59, the route may be less passable and a shortcut may be taken from junction 26 to 21 if necessary.