De Maten

De Maten is a nature reserve spanning several hundred hectares across the border of two municipalities, with water meadows, sandy heaths, woodlands, and connected ponds supporting diverse ecosystems. The different habitats create distinct zones where various plants and animals thrive in conditions suited to wetland and upland species.

Medieval communities managed the ponds as fish farming sites, using water control techniques to support local food needs. This long tradition of deliberate water management shaped the landscape structure that visitors see today.

The site hosts observation platforms where visitors watch birds like bitterns and spadefoots in their natural setting. These spots reveal how the place functions as a living refuge for species adapted to wetland environments.

Several marked walking trails of varying lengths start from parking areas at the entrances and provide different exploration options for visitors. Wear sturdy footwear and prepare for wet conditions, as many sections can be muddy and boggy, especially after rainfall.

This site forms part of the Wijers network stretching across multiple municipalities and containing characteristic Kempen lowland features like peat bogs and reed beds. This interconnection creates a vital habitat corridor for species that require large-scale natural landscapes to survive and move.