Beerse: Eksterheide, Kievitsheide

Description

The route goes through the Eksterheide nature reserve to the Dessel-Schoten canal.

Along the canal, over the Zuiderdijk, to the Vlimmersebaan, which is briefly followed until you turn left onto the Minnekepoespad, which leads to the Kievitsheide.

Eksterheide is home to many rare plant and animal species, such as the black woodpecker, nightjar, woodlark, field cricket, and a small butterfly species, the grizzled skipper. These species rely on heath or grassland.

Kievitsheide was once part of the extensive Abtsheide, which spanned more than 900 hectares across the current municipalities of Beerse, Merksplas, and Rijkevorsel. A large part of the historical "Kievit Heyde" was excavated in the 19th century for clay mining. The remaining parts were planted with conifers.

More photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/is8CuhN9Bj7uS48F8

Eddy, Rita, and Prinske

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