Beesel: Dragon Lore, Mills and Walking Trails

Beesel combines a long tradition of the Draaksteken with walking trails through the Meuse landscape and a nature reserve. A historic mill, a children’s walking route, and a seasonal asparagus tour offer further highlights. If you are looking for a hotel in Beesel, these themes can help you decide whether the destination suits your travel interests.

The Draaksteken and history in Beesel

The earliest written mention of the Draaksteken in Beesel dates from 1736. Since 1967, it has been performed at a permanent location near Kasteel Nieuwenbroek. In 2012, the Draaksteken was added to the Dutch National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The three dates mark different milestones: the written mention, the permanent performance venue, and its inclusion in the Inventory.

The dragon also features in walking. Dragon Expedition is a fun family walking route in Beesel for children. The stories, activities, and experiences along the route revolve around the dragon.

Walking trails between the Meuse and the nature reserve

The walking trail network in Beesel covers almost 100 kilometres and has around 125 junctions. Individual routes have specific distances for comparison: the Sint Joris en de Draak walking route is 6.1 kilometres long. Mortel–Maas–Swalmdal is 8.4 kilometres long and passes through Beesel and the surrounding area shaped by the Meuse. In the village, it passes the church, the ceramic panels, and the old cemetery in “Aad Dörp.” It is 2.3 kilometres longer than Sint Joris en de Draak and combines its route length with named places in Beesel.

The Meerlebroek nature reserve lies east of Beesel, between Sint Willibrordusdijk and the German border. The marked walking route through the area starts at Muiterdijk. It passes Galloway cattle, crosses Prinsendijk, and runs between two fens. If you are interested in this route, you will find a different landscape description here than for trails that specifically follow the Meuse.

The 12.7-kilometre Huilbeek en Maas Premium Walking Route passes through Beesel’s landscape, shaped by wind and water, along the Meuse and past the Huilbeek. It also runs through the woods near Reuver. At high water levels, individual sections by the water may be affected; take this into account when planning. The Walsbergroute starts in the market square in Beesel and passes through rural areas, along the Meuse, and through the woods of Walsberg.

Mill, castle, and seasonal experiences

Korenmolen de Grauwe Beer has a varied history: it was built as a sawmill in Zaandam in 1614. In 1891, it was brought to Beesel and converted there into a grain mill. Volunteer millers operate the mill regularly and offer guided tours. Its former use as a sawmill and its later conversion into a grain mill are both part of its history.

Kasteel Nieuwenbroeck is a national monument and a protected historic estate in Beesel. It is privately owned and not open to visitors. This restriction is important when planning your trip: the castle cannot be included as a sightseeing destination.

During the asparagus harvest, the asparagus cycling tour passes stalls and farm shops where fresh asparagus is sold. The offer is seasonal and tied to the harvest period. The Kessel–Beesel ferry offers another practical connection: it carries bicycles, pedestrians, and cars across the Meuse. Check the current departure times before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Reuver

Go to the main travel overview: Beesel.