Holiday apartment in Riel: heathland, Leij Valley and special trails

A holiday apartment in Riel is a suitable base for anyone who wants to combine nature, trails, regional history and special farm experiences. The town reveals its different sides along short circular trails, at historic buildings and in a landscape shaped by heathland, waterways and stream valleys.

Holiday apartment in Riel between heathland and the Leij Valley

South of Riel, in the municipality of Goirle, lies the Regte Heide en Riels Laag nature reserve. It covers 540 hectares and was designated a Natura 2000 site because of the special transitions from heathland with waterways to the stream valleys of the Oude Leij and the Poppelsche Leij. The landscape includes dry and wet heathland, boggy depressions, acidic and weakly buffered waters, as well as deciduous and coniferous forests. These different landscape forms give a stay in Riel a clear connection to nature.

Different routes are available for planning days on foot. The “Walk around Riel” circular trail is 7.5 km long and takes around 1.5 hours. It starts in the centre of Riel and, after leaving the town centre, follows the winding Leij. It also passes t Zandeind, Riel’s oldest hamlet. The “Riel & Hei” route combines the surroundings of Riel with a walk along the Riels Laag and across the Regte Hei; its highlights include scenic views and the Leij Valley.

Cycle route, church and rural heritage

The Bels Lijntje cycle route is also part of the townscape. It runs from Tilburg to Turnhout and passes through Riel. Its history dates back to a time when Riel had its own railway station and four crossing keeper’s posts on this railway line.

A distinctive building is the Sint Antonius Abtkerk in Riel. It is part of a church complex and a neo-Gothic cruciform church with a western entrance tower, designed by P.J. van Genk. The development cluster on Spie Zandeind-Goorweg also contains listed buildings with thatched roofs; from there, there are views of the surrounding fields. The development cluster at t Zandeind is also home to a small farm museum.

Farm experiences for days together

The bookable “Knuffel workshop” offers an experience involving calves: they can be met and fed, then stroked and possibly taken for a walk. On the farm outings at Van ’t Zandeind, visitors can see, stroke, feed or even cuddle the animals. The outings may include a reception with coffee or tea and pastries in an authentic barn from 1850, where old farming utensils are on display.

Local products in Riel

The offerings from Van ’t Zandeind may also include a barbecue or lunch featuring exclusive products from Van ’t Zandeind. At the “De Winkel van Boer Jos” farm shop, meat marketed as “Puur Natuur” meat is sold. In this way, a holiday apartment in Riel adds a regional culinary perspective to your excursion planning, without having to separate nature, culture and farm life.

For an additional choice of nearby destinations, you can also view Goirle.

To the higher-level travel overview: Goirle.