Ready for a lovely day outdoors, getting active, and enjoying nature? 🍂👟 This year, the ODS-Vitaal Autumn Walk is taking place in Reuver! For the first time, we’ll be walking here, and we’ve created some beautiful new routes just for you!
The start and finish are at De Witte Stein, an ideal location for a fun and active outing. Will you be heading out with your colleagues, or bringing the whole family along? We’re excited to share this special autumn day with you!
More information about the routes and other activities will follow.
Beesel is a small, independent community with around 15,000 residents. It’s located between Roermond and Venlo, bordered by the River Meuse and the German town of Brüggen, known for its impressive castle and beautiful forests. The community of Beesel includes the villages of Beesel, Reuver, Offenbeek, Rijkel, and Ronckenstein, and marks the start of North Limburg. This year, Beesel is celebrating its 750th anniversary.
In 1863, a railway station was opened in Reuver, which led to the growth of the area as a ceramics hub. The most well-known ceramics company is St. Joris. In addition, many factories were established to produce stoneware pipes and roof tiles. The clay needed for production was extracted in Belfeld and just across the German border. Today, the oldest clay pits have been transformed into beautiful nature reserves, perfect for walking and enjoying the outdoors.
We start all three walks—5, 10, and 15 kilometers—from restaurant De Witte Stein in Reuver. For centuries, De Witte Stein has been a symbol of the border between Gelre and JĂĽlich, now the Netherlands and Germany. This historic “white paelsteyn” was placed in 1551 near the Koning Karlsweg (now Prinsendijk). This ancient road, which plays a central role in all three routes, dates back to Roman times and once connected Xanten with Heerlen and Aachen. Moreover, this route is part of both the Pieterpad and the Camino.
The 5 km route takes us to the former British munitions depot, which is still fenced off. This depot was in use from 1948 to 1996 and, with a capacity of 50,000 tons, it was the largest in Europe. Rumor has it that even nuclear warheads were stored here. On this once heavily guarded site, a unique ecosystem has developed—so don’t be surprised if a herd of deer suddenly crosses your path! We’ll visit the old fire watchtower and walk along the site’s wide trails.
Along the way, children (and their parents!) will have the chance to solve puzzles and play games. During the partial dismantling of the site, treasure chests were discovered —ones that can only be opened with a special code. You’ll earn the digits you need by solving puzzles correctly and completing the games successfully.
The 10 and 15 km routes take you in a different direction: we head north. We walk along the opposite side of the former British munitions depot and make our way toward the steep ridge near Belfeld. Here, you can truly see how the Meuse Valley was formed in “terraces,” each about ten meters high. The ridge we reach lies approximately twenty meters above the Meuse River. As far back as ancient times, high-quality clay was extracted from this area.
The big change came in 1862, when the national road and railway from Roermond to Nijmegen were constructed—complete with a station in Reuver. This sparked rapid development of the ceramic industry in our region, especially in Offenbeek, where the well-known stoneware pipes were produced.
We walk past—and partly through—both old and new clay excavation sites. The landscape is surprisingly hilly—you’ll soon discover that this area is anything but flat!
After about 5.5 kilometers, we return to De Witte Stein for a well-deserved break.
The journey then continues southward, toward the Brachterwald. This German nature reserve, together with the Elmpterwald and the Meinweg, forms a vast cross-border nature park. Here again, you’ll feel the elevation changes quite clearly. The Prinsendijk marks the border—an ancient road once used by Roman legions. On the Swalmen side, a section of the original Roman road has even been uncovered.
On the way back, we walk along the western side of the Prinsendijk, entering the Meerlebroek area. This former peat and marshland lies at the base of the steep ridge and benefits from rainwater that slowly seeps through the soil. In the past, peat was cut here, and the name ‘Meerle’ refers to a type of falcon that was once commonly found in this region.
Directly after World War II, the area was cultivated by farmers from West Friesland, who came in search of new agricultural land. In the 1990s, it was transformed back into a nature reserve, as compensation for the construction of the A73 motorway. Today, it’s a wet, vibrant landscape where countless bird species thrive—a surprising and beautiful conclusion to this varied walking tour.
De Witte Stein is a border post in the forest between Reuver and Bracht. This beautiful spot is the start and finish point for all three routes. For the little ones, there’s a wonderful playground, plenty of parking, and a great restaurant. On the German side, you’ll also find the old RAF munitions depot, which between 1948 and 1996 was the largest depot in Europe. Today, although still fenced, it’s open to walkers and cyclists.
The start and finish location is De Witte Stein in Reuver. Upon your arrival, please report to the ODS-Vitaal information desk. On presentation of your ticket(s), you will then receive your walk description and consumption tokens.
The venue is fully facilitated. This includes:
During your walk, we will make sure you don’t come up short on anything. With the ODS-Vitaal coins, you will receive the following:
Information about the rest area will follow.
Do you have dietary requirements? No problem! Please indicate this two weeks in advance by sending an email to: info@ods-vitaal.nl
Beesel is also known as the village of the Draaksteken. The Draaksteken is a spectacular open-air play about Saint George and the Dragon, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. Every seven years, around 800 local residents come together to build the stage, create the dragon, and perform all the roles themselves. At least 15,000 people come to watch and enjoy this unique event. The most recent performance, in 2023, was even featured in a national documentary. The Draaksteken is recognized as part of the Cultural Heritage of the Netherlands.
Navigation address:
Keulseweg 193, 5953 HJ Reuver
Everyone is welcome to help us bring the ODS-Vitaal Autumn Walk to the attention of colleagues. Use the downloads below that you can share at work, in the canteen, via socials and much more.
We are happy with your promotional help. Thank you!
Head out into nature with your family or colleagues during the ODS-Vitaal Autumn Walk!
On Sunday, October 5th, we’ll be exploring the beautiful town of Reuver for the very first time. The walk starts and ends at De Witte Stein, a welcoming spot with a restaurant and playground, located right at the edge of the forested Brachter Wald. Choose from three brand-new routes of 5, 10, or 15 km and enjoy the autumn colors and tasty treats along the way. Perfect for anyone who loves nature, movement, and good company! More info and registration: ods-wandeling.nl
