A nice hike through the forest areas of Zwartwater, Ballonzuilen forests, Testrik and the Vliegveld forests. All forest areas have something in common, they are planted on wild peeling grounds for wood production. During the walking tour one will notice that they differ a lot from each other.
Distance: 16 km.
Time: 3h30.
Grade: Moderate.
Type: Circular.
Gps Track: Yes.
Route description: Yes.
Wheelchair: Not suitable.
Dog: Allowed.
Height gain: No information.
Trail: 91% unpaved.
Marking: See PDF route description.
Hiking shoes recommended.
Advertisement.
Peace Pole.
The Zwartwater forest area is planted on very poor soil. Not all trees survived, with the result that beautiful open areas can be seen, giving a good impression of what the area must have looked like in the past. The Ballonzuilbossen is a forest area with wide avenues interspersed with narrow paths. The forest area Testrik and the Vliegveldbossen consist of a variety of hardwood and pine trees with small pieces of heather in some places. The town itself with around 200 inhabitants owes its name to the "Peace Pole". The name of the village refers to the Vredepeel area, which refers to the mediation of King Frederick William I of Prussia to establish once and for all the boundary between the Republic of the United Netherlands and the Gelre Overkwartier at that time under Prussian authority. To this end, in 1716 the Vredepaal was placed at the pivot point of the borders.
Download PDf for route description.
POI 1 - Ballonzuil monument.
In the Ballonzuil forests stands the monument De Ballonzuil, the oldest aviation monument in the Netherlands and recalls the landing of the balloon La Poste de Paris. This balloon left Paris during the Franco-German war on January 18, 1871, to seek help. The balloon ended up in Merselo instead of Bordeaux.
Liefde voor Limburg.
www.visitnoordlimburg.nl.
