Searching for Boulders in the Loonse Land

Hidden between the vast natural areas of De Loonse en Drunense Duinen and Huis ter Heide lies an intimate landscape, the Loonse Land. Across this Loonse Land runs the Keienspoor: a special walking trail especially for children.

The 24 Boulders show you the way past flowery fields, through forests and across heathland. Can you find all the animals depicted on the boulders?

In the Middle Ages, in the area between Tilburg and Waalwijk, there was a small hamlet, the Efteling. The area consisted of rough land and over time the peat was excavated by farmers and the land was worked as fields. The land was also used as a production forest. The area came into the ownership of Stichting Natuurpark De Efteling and was recently transferred to Natuurmonumenten. This made the Loonse Land part of the Ecological Main Structure. Here you can experience the landscape as it must have looked around 1850. On the small fields in the west of the Loonse Land special old grain crops grow. The fields are bordered by hedgerows and wide flower borders and insects fly in and out. In the middle of the Loonse Land you will find oak coppice forest and walk on heathland. The eastern part of the area is characterized by varied native forests and stately beech avenues.

The Boulder Trail
Scattered throughout the Loonse Land you will find large boulders. On each of these boulders is the image of an animal. You can meet all the animals in person in the Loonse Land. The route starts and ends at the Holiday Park Loonsche Land at Efteling and takes you through all the different landscapes of Loonse Land. Through forest and heath you walk past a large, natural pool where the animals of the Loonse Land quench their thirst. The shepherd also lets his flock drink here.

Halfway down the Boulder Trail, the boulders lead you the way to "the cathedral," a giant red beech tree up to 120 years old. Its branches hang like a huge parasol all the way down to the ground. When you stand under this tree you imagine yourself in a magical, tranquil world. Many animals find a resting place here or use the tree to hide.

You can download and print the map for the Boulder Trail here. The trail is about two kilometers long and thus very suitable to walk with children. The Loonse Land is part of the estate Huis ter Heide and is over 50 hectares in size. The area is free to walk and dogs are also allowed, provided they are kept on a lead, to roam freely on the paths north of the Hooispoor. And haven't you had enough of all the beauty in the municipality of Loon op Zand? The hiking trail can also be combined with a longer walk at Huis ter Heide or De Loonse en Drunense Duinen.