Animal adventures in the Maasheggen
The Fable route through the Maasheggen area is part of the Sagas and Legends routes: exciting cycle and walking tours in Brabant.
At some point in time, the Romans passed through the Maasheggen countryside. It was then that Phaedrus, a renowned poet, wrote fables – stories in which animals are presented as people and where a wise lesson is often to be found. He also versified the fables of the Greek poet Aesop. During their journey through the Maasheggen, Roman legionnaires passed the fables on to one another. When seeing animals fleeing between the hedgerows, perhaps they thought they saw a main character from one of those fables by their famous fellow-countryman. Can you see them too? Get to know these adventurous animals and their experiences in the Maasheggen.
Fables
Fifteen modern fables are told along the fifteen kilometre long cycle route through the UNESCO area De Maasheggen and the nature reserve De Vilt. The key players in all of the fables are animals and plants that also appear in the natural surroundings of Oeffelt and Beugen. Would you like to hear them?
Panels …
At some point in time, the Romans passed through the Maasheggen countryside. It was then that Phaedrus, a renowned poet, wrote fables – stories in which animals are presented as people and where a wise lesson is often to be found. He also versified the fables of the Greek poet Aesop. During their journey through the Maasheggen, Roman legionnaires passed the fables on to one another. When seeing animals fleeing between the hedgerows, perhaps they thought they saw a main character from one of those fables by their famous fellow-countryman. Can you see them too? Get to know these adventurous animals and their experiences in the Maasheggen.
Fables
Fifteen modern fables are told along the fifteen kilometre long cycle route through the UNESCO area De Maasheggen and the nature reserve De Vilt. The key players in all of the fables are animals and plants that also appear in the natural surroundings of Oeffelt and Beugen. Would you like to hear them?
Panels with a QR code are scattered along the route. Scan the QR code with the camera on your mobile phone and listen to the exciting, amusing fables that are educational as well. The fables have been revised and recorded by author Geurt Franzen from Boxmeer. If you would prefer to download the fables beforehand, this can also be done.
De Vilt nature reserve
De Vilt nature reserve, 140 hectares in size, is the property of Brabants Landschap and is located between the villages Beugen and Oeffelt. This natural pearl contains two large watery areas, De Beugense Vilt and De Oeffeltse Vilt, that are surrounded by flowery grasslands, marshlands, hedges and woods. De Vilt is one of the forty places designated by the region that tell the story of the origin of North Brabant. De Vilt is a former bend in the Maas that became silted up over time. The area was formed around fifteen thousand years ago.
Look for more visiting tips, cycle routes and walking tours, places to rest up and overnight addresses in the Land van Cuijk at Visit Land van Cuijk.
Cycle junctions
Follow the route from junction to junction using the familiar cycle junction signs. Simply cycle from number to number. The signs that are on the side of the road give the numbers of the junctions. Arrows indicate the direction of the number you have chosen. The route can be followed in both directions and started at any location.
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Signposting
Simply follow the signs and cycle along the route from one numbered junction to the next.
Signposting
Simply follow the signs and cycle along the route from one numbered junction to the next.
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Hotline routes
Hotline routesIf there is something wrong on the route, report it here.
Tips from Brabant residents
Skip map elementsLocations on this route
Grand Café & Minihotel Het Veerhuis
The Ferry House on the river Maas. As early as the Middle Ages, guests were received at the Inn on the river Maas by the ferry from Oeffelt to Gennep. A long history that preserves a lot of great memories for many. Proudly, the Veerhuis has opened in a whole new look since summer 2018.
Audio fragment: The Fox Without a Tail
Listen to this fragment between junctions 02 - 07.
Audio fragment: The Fox Without a Tail
‘The Fox Without a Tail’ is part of the Fable Cycling Route in the Maasheggen.
While cycling through the UNESCO area, you can hear and read unique, contemporary fables, written and narrated by Geurt Franzen, with music by Bart-Jan Baartmans.
This text has been translated using AI.
Audio fragment: The Frog and the Cow
Listen to this fragment between junctions 02 - 07.
Audio fragment: The Frog and the Cow
‘The Frog and the Cow’ is part of the Fable Cycling Route in the Maasheggen.
While cycling through the UNESCO area, you can hear and read unique, contemporary fables, written and narrated by Geurt Franzen, with music by Bart-Jan Baartmans.
This text has been translated using AI.
Audio fragment: The Hare and the Hedgehog
Listen to this fragment between junctions 07 - 15.
Audio fragment: The Hare and the Hedgehog
‘The Hare and the Hedgehog’ is part of the Fable Cycling Route in the Maasheggen.
While cycling through the UNESCO area, you can hear and read unique, contemporary fables, written and narrated by Geurt Franzen, with music by Bart-Jan Baartmans.
This text has been translated using AI.
Audio fragment: The Donkey and the Ox
Listen to this fragment between junctions 07 - 15.
Audio fragment: The Donkey and the Ox
‘The Donkey and the Ox’ is part of the Fable Cycling Route in the Maasheggen.
While cycling through the UNESCO area, you can hear and read unique, contemporary fables, written and narrated by Geurt Franzen, with music by Bart-Jan Baartmans.
This text has been translated using AI.
Audio fragment: The Cricket and the Ant
Listen to this fragment between junctions 07 - 15.
Audio fragment: The Cricket and the Ant
‘The Cricket and the Ant’ is part of the Fable Cycling Route in the Maasheggen.
While cycling through the UNESCO area, you can hear and read unique, contemporary fables, written and narrated by Geurt Franzen, with music by Bart-Jan Baartmans.
This text has been translated using AI.
Audio fragment: The Robin
Listen to this fragment between junctions 15 - 14.
Audio fragment: The Robin
‘The Robin’ is part of the Fable Cycling Route in the Maasheggen.
While cycling through the UNESCO area, you can hear and read unique, contemporary fables, written and narrated by Geurt Franzen, with music by Bart-Jan Baartmans.
This text has been translated using AI.
Audio fragment: The Badger and the Pigs
Listen to this fragment between junctions 15 - 14.
Audio fragment: The Badger and the Pigs
‘The Badger and the Pigs’ is part of the Fable Cycling Route in the Maasheggen.
While cycling through the UNESCO area, you can hear and read unique, contemporary fables, written and narrated by Geurt Franzen, with music by Bart-Jan Baartmans.
This text has been translated using AI.
Audio fragment: The Fox and the Stork
Listen to this fragment between junctions 15 - 14.
Audio fragment: The Fox and the Stork
‘The Fox and the Stork’ is part of the Fable Cycling Route in the Maasheggen.
While cycling through the UNESCO area, you can hear and read unique, contemporary fables, written and narrated by Geurt Franzen, with music by Bart-Jan Baartmans.
This text has been translated using AI
Audio fragment: The Crow and the Fox
Listen to this fragment between junctions 14 - 16.
Audio fragment: The Crow and the Fox
‘The Crow and the Fox’ is part of the Fable Cycling Route in the Maasheggen.
While cycling through the UNESCO area, you can hear and read unique, contemporary fables, written and narrated by Geurt Franzen, with music by Bart-Jan Baartmans.
This text has been translated using AI.
Audio fragment: The Heron and the Fish
Listen to this fragment between junctions 13 - 12.
Audio fragment: The Heron and the Fish
‘The Heron and the Fish’ is part of the Fable Cycling Route in the Maasheggen.
While cycling through the UNESCO area, you can hear and read unique, contemporary fables, written and narrated by Geurt Franzen, with music by Bart-Jan Baartmans.
This text has been translated using AI.
Audio fragment: The Bee and the Sting
Listen to this fragment between junctions 13 - 12.
Audio fragment: The Bee and the Sting
‘The Bee and the Sting’ is part of the Fable Cycling Route in the Maasheggen.
While cycling through the UNESCO area, you can hear and read unique, contemporary fables, written and narrated by Geurt Franzen, with music by Bart-Jan Baartmans.
This text has been translated using AI.
Audio fragment: The Mill Mouse and the Field Mouse
Listen to this fragment between junctions 13 - 12.
Audio fragment: The Mill Mouse and the Field Mouse
‘The Mill Mouse and the Field Mouse’ is part of the Fable Cycling Route in the Maasheggen.
While cycling through the UNESCO area, you can hear and read unique, contemporary fables, written and narrated by Geurt Franzen, with music by Bart-Jan Baartmans.
This text has been translated using AI.
Audio fragment: The Wren
Listen to this fragment between junctions 12 - 02.
Audio fragment: The Wren
‘The Wren’ is part of the Fable Cycling Route in the Maasheggen.
While cycling through the UNESCO area, you can hear and read unique, contemporary fables, written and narrated by Geurt Franzen, with music by Bart-Jan Baartmans.
This text has been translated using AI.
Audio fragment: The Dove and the Ant
Listen to this fragment between junctions 12 - 02.
Audio fragment: The Dove and the Ant
‘The Dove and the Ant’ is part of the Fable Cycling Route in the Maasheggen.
While cycling through the UNESCO area, you can hear and read unique, contemporary fables, written and narrated by Geurt Franzen, with music by Bart-Jan Baartmans.
This text has been translated using AI.
Audio fragment: The Pumpkin and the Acorn
Listen to this fragment between junctions 12 - 02.
Audio fragment: The Pumpkin and the Acorn
‘The Pumpkin and the Acorn’ is part of the Fable Cycling Route in the Maasheggen.
While cycling through the UNESCO area, you can hear and read unique, contemporary fables, written and narrated by Geurt Franzen, with music by Bart-Jan Baartmans.
This text has been translated using AI.
Grand Café & Minihotel Het Veerhuis
The Ferry House on the river Maas. As early as the Middle Ages, guests were received at the Inn on the river Maas by the ferry from Oeffelt to Gennep. A long history that preserves a lot of great memories for many. Proudly, the Veerhuis has opened in a whole new look since summer 2018.
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