Hatertse and Overasseltse Vennen - Overasselt

The Overasseltse and Hatertse Vennen owe their remarkable landscape to the forces of water and wind. Long ago, the rivers Maas and Waal laid the foundation here. The Waal left behind clay that now forms an impermeable layer in the soil. During the last Ice Age, around 10,000 years ago, the climate changed and strong south-westerly winds blew sand from the Maas riverbed into high river dunes. In the low-lying areas between the dunes, rainwater stayed on the clay layer, creating the many fens that define the area today.

Southwest of Nijmegen, these fens, together with vast heathlands and forests, form a continuous nature reserve of over 500 hectares. Well-known fens include Botersnijdersven, the long Langenven, the hidden Uivernest and Struikelwortelven.

The nature around the fens is unique. On the acidic, nutrient-poor soils, special plants grow such as sphagnum moss and sundew, a small carnivorous plant. In summer, the higher sandy areas turn purple with blooming heather, kept open by grazing sheep. The area teems with life: dozens of bird species nest here, and if you’re lucky, you might spot a deer darting away or traces of a badger. From the rolling river dunes, you have a wide view over the shimmering fens.