Top 9 Natural Monuments around Leudal

The Leudal is a 900-hectare nature reserve consisting primarily of forests with scattered grasslands, fields, and patches of heathland. Three streams flow through the area: the Leubeek, the Zelsterbeek, and the Haelensche Beek; for this reason, the Leudal is also known as the "Three Rivers Land." Approximately 500 hectares of the area are managed by the Dutch Forestry Commission (Staatsbosbeheer). Source: https://www.leumolen.nl/Entree/Start%20Leumolen/DeLeumolen.htm

3,000 years ago, the ashes of the dead were buried after cremation at the Busjop Burial Field. The ashes were then placed in an urn or cloth, and the whole area was covered with a low mound of sods. Each individual received his or her own burial monument. By repeatedly creating a new mound near another, a vast burial or urn field was created. Over the course of five centuries, a "death landscape" of more than fifty burial mounds developed here. In 1951, the burial field was partially investigated, after which the urns and cremated remains ended up in the National Museum of Antiquities in Leiden. Due to the growth of trees and brambles, the mounds disappeared from view for a long time and fell into oblivion. In 2010-2011, the Dutch Forestry Commission, in collaboration with the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands, cleared the forest, creating an open landscape. This ultimately led to the rediscovery and restoration of seventeen burial mounds. Source: https://www.visitnoordlimburg.nl/nl/grafveld-busjop

3,000 years ago, the ashes of the dead were buried after cremation at the Busjop Burial Field. The ashes were then placed in an urn or cloth, and the whole area was covered with a low mound of sods. Each individual received his or her own burial monument. By repeatedly creating a new mound near another, a vast burial or urn field was created. Over the course of five centuries, a "death landscape" of more than fifty burial mounds developed here. In 1951, the burial field was partially investigated, after which the urns and cremated remains ended up in the National Museum of Antiquities in Leiden. Due to the growth of trees and brambles, the mounds disappeared from view for a long time and fell into oblivion. In 2010-2011, the Dutch Forestry Commission, in collaboration with the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands, cleared the forest, creating an open landscape. This ultimately led to the rediscovery and restoration of seventeen burial mounds. Source: https://www.visitnoordlimburg.nl/nl/grafveld-busjop

The municipality of Leudal is named after the Leudal nature reserve, which forms the heart of the municipality. Due to its green character, this municipality is sometimes called the Garden of Limburg. The Leudal nature reserve is located between the villages of Haelen, Roggel, Neer, Nunhem, and Heythuysen and covers approximately 900 hectares. 500 hectares of this area is managed as a reserve by the Dutch Forestry Commission (Staatsbosbeheer). In addition to the stream valleys that have formed the nature reserve, the area also boasts beautiful sights such as the Sint Ursulamolen windmill. Due to its unique character, the Leudal nature reserve has been designated Natura 2000, safeguarding its biodiversity. The stream valleys in the Leudal are picturesquely beautiful. The Zelsterbeek and Leubeek streams meander among the trees. Over centuries, water has eroded the stream valleys so deeply that they have created ravines. At the transition from higher to lower ground, runoff has carved out hollow paths. The stream valleys create the Leudal landscape with unique flora and fauna. It consists largely of forests of hazel, birch, and willow, and the kingfisher, which catches fish in the streams, lives in the banks. Source and more information: https://www.hartvanlimburg.nl/nl/natuurgebied-het-leudal

Very varied area for walking.

Fascinating how many centuries ago the dead were buried.

You can enjoy walking in the Leudal. There are many winding paths, through the forest or along the streams

The Leudal is always worth a hike, we just love being here. Narrow paths - lonely, quiet and always accompanied by the water.