Walking in KempenBroek: Sint-Maartensheide - De Luysen

Our walk begins at the Luysmolen, a beautiful mill bearing testimony to five centuries of history. The watermill remained in use until 1965. Even today, you can still see it working during the milling demonstrations every second and fourth Sunday of the month. Could you use some sustenance? In the delightful inn at the mill, you can enjoy a delicious bowl of fresh soup, 'rabarbervlaai' (rhubarb flan), a local beer, along with lots of cosiness. But we save those goodies for later. First, we set off. We follow the trickling Abeek, our guide during this walk.  

The Stramprooierbroek is one of the next highlights on our walk. This nature area is the remainder of an enormous marsh. That was here until around 1860. The Abeek made a greater impression in those days. Back then, in some places, it even reached a kilometre wide. That changed when the government dug a drainage canal, in an effort to adapt land to farming and forestry. During recent years the area is increasingly returning to its roots. Nature wardens strive to undo this draining process, in order to stimulate biodiversity. While looking through your binoculars for the rare species of dragonflies, you enjoy the tranquillity and peace. After all, Stramprooierbroek is a designated quiet zone. 

The area of Sint-Maartensheide - De Luysen provides stunning scenery for your walk, plus some extra surprises here and there. Beavers have returned to these shores. These special creatures live in lodges, with their entrance underwater. As such, they protect themselves from predators such as foxes. Beavers are mainly nocturnal and spend much time in the lodge. Which is why you are unlikely to see them at work. However, the large pile of sticks on the water and the signs of gnawing on trunks bear silent witness to their presence. Can you also spot a beaver dam on this walk?