Forest, fens and flowery meadows characterize the Pannenhoef, a beautiful nature reserve between Etten-Leur, Zundert, Rijsbergen and Sprundel, which covers no less than 706 hectares. Originally there was a kind of mini-Peel here. The entire peat packet was dug away over several centuries, between 1400 and 1750. In dried form - peat - it went via peat canals to the cities, as fuel for households and breweries. The most famous is the "Turfvaart" that runs to Breda. What remained was a hilly moor with fens in the bowls. There was little to gain and so in the 19th century the area was reclaimed as forest and agricultural land.
Walking through varied forest and flowery meadows
When Brabants Landschap purchased this area in 1970, it was dull with few natural values: fertilized farmland, young uniform coniferous forest and no more fens. Little life to be seen. After 40 years, that picture has completely changed: attractive mixed forest and as many as 11 fens have been dug out again. This also brought back rare plants, such as heatherartleaf and marsh deer hay. And amphibians like pond and moor frog. The woods are home to mammals like polecat and roe deer and birds like green woodpecker and buzzard.
Fun anecdote
The fens were drained except for one: the Lokker. People sailed on it and swam in it, mixed still. And afterwards you could have a drink on the terrace. In short, people had fun. This was a thorn in the side of the pastor of Sprundel, and therefore in 1938 the Bijloop was dug through this huge fen, emptying it.
Birds
The following bird species can be seen, among others: Buzzard, Goshawk, Sparrowhawk, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Black Woodpecker, Black Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Crested Tit, Chaffinch, Jay, Goldcrest, Wild Duck, Little Grebe, Canada Goose, Mute Swan.
Walking and cycling
The Pannenhoef is a very varied area, with many hiking trails and extensive biking opportunities. The distinctive Black Barn is located in the middle of the estate and is a nice place to have a chat or rest. On a nice day in summer you can also score an ice cream here.
Beautiful views are available from the bird-watching hut and bird screen. They are indicated on the maps in the nature reserve.
-Hiking route blue is 6 km
-Green walking route is 4 km
-Hiking trail orange is 4 km
-Walking route yellow is 2 km
-There is also a short disabled route
Parking
The Pannenhoef is accessible via several parking lots. The area itself is car-free.
-To drive from Etten-Leur to parking De Lokkerberg you should drive out of Etten-Leur via the Couperuslaan, at the first traffic circle turn right onto the Sprundelsebaan, after a few kilometers turn left into the Oosteindeseweg. Then continue driving until you can go no further. On the left is the parking lot.
-Parking lot De Bak is located along the Ettensebaan. You drive out of Etten-Leur again via the Couperuslaan, at the first traffic circle turn right onto the Sprundelsebaan, then turn left at the 2nd crossing and via the Zundertseweg you will reach the Ettensebaan.
