Ommel: Marian history, village trails and nature

Ommel offers several starting points for planning a trip: a long tradition of Marian pilgrimage, local history, routes of varying lengths and a landscape rich in woodland. You can therefore focus your stay on village history, nature or outdoor activities.

For Asten and the surrounding Peel region, including De Groote Peel, Toeristisch Asten offers walking and cycling routes, guided tours and visitor information. Opening hours may change; check them if you plan to use the visitor information.

Marian devotion and village history

Ommel has been a Marian pilgrimage site since the 15th century. Another historical point of reference is the 11th-century ivory relief Onze Lieve Vrouwe van Ommel. It depicts the Blessed Virgin Mary. The pilgrimage and the relief thus refer to two different periods in the local history of Marian devotion.

Erected on the church square in 2009, the “Ommel War Plaque” commemorates 12 Ommel residents who died as a result of acts of war during the occupation. Its dedication provides a distinct focus alongside the village’s religious history.

The former temporary church building also tells part of Ommel’s past: it served as a church from 1945 to 1963. Some original elements, including the confessional, have been preserved. Today, the building is a private home and is listed as a municipal monument; it is not open to the public.

A recurring event in the village is the large guild procession. It takes place every year on the third Sunday in May. Check the date before your trip if it is important to your plans.

Routes and landscapes compared

The Ommels Ommetje is a short, 3-kilometre walking route through the centre of Ommel. Along the way, the route traces the village’s history from the past to the present. It combines a short walk with a specific insight into local history.

A red, 5-kilometre route to the Astense Aa starts in Asten-Ommel at the end of Busserdijk. The 7-kilometre route from Ommel to the Oostappense Heide leads into a former drift-sand area. A small patch of drift sand remains there, and heathland can also be found. The destinations therefore differ, as do the stated distances. Tourist route descriptions may be updated; check the latest route details and markers before setting out.

For cycling plans, the “Rondje Asten” route also passes through Ommel. It offers an alternative to the walking routes described above; no route length is given here. You can choose according to the activity and the specific details provided for each route.

Nature watching in the Oostappense bossen and along the Astense Aa

The Oostappense bossen are an area rich in birdlife. Crested tits, treecreepers, coal tits and goldcrests are often seen, and roe deer are also regularly spotted there. The woods are part of the walking trail network. If you are planning a specific walk, check the latest markers, as they may change.

The Astense Aa meanders for 2 kilometres through an area in Ommel. Together with the wildlife sightings in the Oostappense bossen, it offers a different nature experience from routes focused on village history or a former drift-sand area. This distinction can help you choose activities based on the focus you want for your trip.

Discover more destinations: Heusden Gem Asten, Asten.

Go to the main travel overview: Asten.