Nature area De Mossel got its name from the nearby centuries-old farm De Mossel, which used to serve as an inn. The area originally consisted of a small piece of grassland and a forgotten forest, the Mossel forest. The grassland was too wet for agricultural production and the trees in the forest had a disease. Thanks to a unique collaboration between hotel Van der Valk and the Municipality of Leusden, this piece of nature can develop into a nature reserve in the coming years.
By cutting down the diseased trees and excavating the fert…
Nature area De Mossel got its name from the nearby centuries-old farm De Mossel, which used to serve as an inn. The area originally consisted of a small piece of grassland and a forgotten forest, the Mossel forest. The grassland was too wet for agricultural production and the trees in the forest had a disease. Thanks to a unique collaboration between hotel Van der Valk and the Municipality of Leusden, this piece of nature can develop into a nature reserve in the coming years.
By cutting down the diseased trees and excavating the fertile top layer, an optimal environment has been created for special plants. The site is now calcareous due to the seepage, nutrient poor and even wetter due to excavation of the humus layer. The area is optimal for rare plants such as orchids and other special types of plants that used to occur in the Gelderse Valley. These special plants attract special insects and various birds benefit from this.
The Mosselpad is a nice walking route for hotel guests and for employees of the nearby De Horst business park. After a long walk in the area, it is wonderful to relax and enjoy a tasty lunch, an extensive dinner, a refreshing drink or a relaxing overnight stay at Van der Valk Hotel Leusden-Amersfoort.