Cotton Path (Katoenpad)

1 hour 17 minutes (5.8 km)

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Home weavers once walked along the Katoenpad (Cotton Path) from Mierlo to their workplace in Geldrop. In 1832 this path was located on the Molenheide heath, but at some stage the path disappeared mysteriously.

You can walk along this path, and by using the fascinating Katoenpad App you will learn more about this disappearance and its secret. It provides a fun and educational treasure hunt through the Mierlo countryside, with plenty of tasks, playgrounds and interesting stories about weaving and fabrics on the way.

You can walk the route by following the posts showing the Katoenpad logo and special signposts. You can choose a long or a short route, the short route being the most suitable for small children and can be found on the website.

Directions Mierlo - Geldrop
Start: at ‘…

Home weavers once walked along the Katoenpad (Cotton Path) from Mierlo to their workplace in Geldrop. In 1832 this path was located on the Molenheide heath, but at some stage the path disappeared mysteriously.

You can walk along this path, and by using the fascinating Katoenpad App you will learn more about this disappearance and its secret. It provides a fun and educational treasure hunt through the Mierlo countryside, with plenty of tasks, playgrounds and interesting stories about weaving and fabrics on the way.

You can walk the route by following the posts showing the Katoenpad logo and special signposts. You can choose a long or a short route, the short route being the most suitable for small children and can be found on the website.

Directions Mierlo - Geldrop
Start: at ‘Woes’ on the Molenplein in Mierlo (free parking in Dorpstraat). Catering: Cafe de Koffer
- Turn right in the Molenplein (Woes sign) and continue along Dorpstraat
- Turn left at the Kerkstraat
- Turn right at Pastoor de Winterstraat
- Straight ahead at the Santheuvel West junction into the Boslaan
Finish: Weverijmuseum (Weaving Museum) Geldrop (free parking, catering)

Directions Geldrop - Mierlo
Start: Weverijmuseum (Weaving Museum) Geldrop (free parking, catering)
- From the entrance of the Weverijmuseum to the Wielstraat
- Walk on the left and turn left onto the Molenstraat
- Straight ahead at the junction and onto the Sluisstraat
- Continue on the Sluisstraat as far as the Aardborstweg
- Straight ahead at the junction with Rederijklaan
Finish: at ‘Woes’ on the Molenplein in Mierlo (free parking in Dorpstraat). Catering: Cafe de Koffer

Take a look

Sights on this route

Starting point: Dorpsstraat 158
5731 JL Mierlo

1

Mierlo

2

Standerdmolen Mierlo

Dorpsstraat 147
5731 JH Mierlo

3

Torenweg 0 0
5731 CJ Mierlo

4

Torenweg
5731 CJ Mierlo

5

Patrijslaan 4
5731 XN Mierlo

6

Stichting Weverijmuseum Geldrop

Molenstraat 21
5664 HV Geldrop

End point: Wielstraat 18
5664 HP Geldrop

Directions

Starting point: Dorpsstraat 158
5731 JL Mierlo

Molenplein Mierlo
The Molenplein in Mierlo is a square next to the Post Mill. The Molenplein is centrally located and is the location of the weekly market. Café De Koffer is on the Molenplein, where you can get something tasty to eat and drink. There is a children’s farm behind the windmill, which you can see from the café terrace. A larger than life ‘Woes’, the fierce weaver from the children’s book ‘Het geheim van het verdwenen Katoenpad’ (The Secret of the Disappearing Cotton Path) points the way from the Molenplein to the Katoenpad and its secret.,
Post Mill
You can see it with your own eyes in the centre of the charming town of Mierlo. The Mierlo Post Mill is a real eye-catcher. However the windmill did not always stand on this spot; until 1857 the it was positioned on the Molenheide heath, close to the Katoenpad. The Mierlo windmill is operated by a team of seven millers and is open for visits almost every Saturday (from 11:00 to 15:00). The miller on duty will of course explain how everything works.
Molenheide
The Molenheide heath is – despite what its name suggests – a large area of woodland between Geldrop and Mierlo. This walking area has many footpaths, some of which lead to lovely ponds. Some parts are protected areas and are not accessible to walkers, but offer lovely views where you can dream away on a bench. The Molenheide has a wheelchair path, an experience path (the Katoenpad), a playground (De Molenheide) and various sports and mountain bike routes. Dogs are welcome in most parts.
Bospark ’t Wolfsven
Bospark (Woodland Park) ’t Wolfsven is a wonderful Roompot Holiday Park in the middle of woodland between Geldrop and Mierlo. The holiday park has everything you will need for a wonderful holiday: Koos the Rabbit (mascot) entertainment for the kids, a climbing paradise, pedalos, trampolines, a lovely natural swimming pool and an indoor pool when the weather is not so good. The park rents comfortable bungalows, chalets and ready erected tents. You can also visit with your own caravan, motorhome or tent. The park has a supermarket, snack bar and restaurant, so you don’t really need to leave the park.
Weverijmuseum Geldrop
If you delve into the history of Geldrop-Mierlo, you will discover that the textile industry in this region was of great importance to the Netherlands and Belgium, and so also for the inhabitants themselves. You will be reminded of this if you visit the Weverijmuseum (Weaving Museum). The Weaving Museum is a former factory for the production of woollen fabrics. The guides (a tour is included in the entry price) are craftsmen, former weavers, loom tuners and textile workers. They will be happy to take you back in time to the life of the weavers.
Molenheide Playground
The Molenheide playground is close to the Katoenpad path. This is the ideal combination for a wonderful day in the woods. You can let your children play on the various types of playground equipment that you’ll find there. There was a windmill on the Molenheid in Mierlo until about 1860, and you can still see that on this spot. A special observation post on the edge of the playground gives a good idea of how it must originally have looked. And a ten metre high shape of a mill has been placed on the highest part of the Molenberg, so it still looks a bit like it used to.
Hertenkamp

End point: Wielstraat 18
5664 HP Geldrop

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