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Monastery Walk in De Groote Heide

2 hour 30 minutes (11.2 km)
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This monastery walk will allow you to discover the beautiful countryside around the Achelse Kluis in Hamont-Achel in De Groote Heide heathland.

Experience monastic life 
Monastic life has brought much to Brabant. Get to know the stories of local monastic life while walking. Our Monastery Trail takes you past fifty historic monasteries and abbeys in fifteen stages. There are also beautiful shorter walks around various monasteries and convents. Each circular walk is described on a separate route map.

Finding the way with numbered junctions
This walking route has been set out using the numbered junction network in Brabant. Simply follow the route via the signposted junctions, from one number to the next. There are also signposts between the junctions to help you find your way. 

Take a look

Sights on this route

Starting point: De Achelse Kluis
De Kluis 1
3930 Hamont-Achel
1

De Achelse Kluis Abbey

De Achelse Kluis
De Kluis 1
3930 Hamont-Achel
It is the starting point for a wonderful walking or cycling trip through the Leenderbos, the Groote Heide or the Beverbeekse Heide. From here, you can also easily reach the charming town of Hamont-Achel.
De Achelse Kluis Abbey
2
Inspiratiepunt De Groote Heide / Achelse Kluis
De Kluis 1 B
3930 Hamont-Achel
68 105
3

Location of former Border chapel

Beverbeekse Heide
Hamont-Achel
In the centre of this heathland region among several remote fens lies the remains of what used to be a conventicle (a secret or unlawful religious meeting), during the period that lasted from 1648 to 1672.
Location of former Border chapel
106 108 110
4

Den Doodendraad and National Border Post 175

3930 Hamont-Achel
Many “pungelaars” (smugglers carrying burlap bags filled with contraband on their backs) followed small forest paths and sandy roads to cross the border along the Budel-Gastel route towards Achel and vice versa.
Den Doodendraad and National Border Post 175
187 188 190 193 103 102 197 73 73 04 72 71 68
5

De Achelse Kluis Abbey

De Achelse Kluis
De Kluis 1
3930 Hamont-Achel
It is the starting point for a wonderful walking or cycling trip through the Leenderbos, the Groote Heide or the Beverbeekse Heide. From here, you can also easily reach the charming town of Hamont-Achel.
De Achelse Kluis Abbey
End point: De Achelse Kluis
De Kluis 1
3930 Hamont-Achel

Directions

Starting point: De Achelse Kluis
De Kluis 1
3930 Hamont-Achel
  • The Achelse Kluis
  • Former border chapel
  • Den Doodendraad (‘Wire of Death’)
    The Germans erected a 332 kilometre wire barrier along the border and right through the garden at the Achelse Kluis monastery to prevent spies, resistance workers, smugglers and refugees from crossing the border without being noticed. Two thousand volts running through this so-called ‘Wire of Death’ ensured that nobody could get through. A reconstruction of the Wire shows the dramatic events that took place here during the war years.
  • Former De Hoef farmhouse
End point: De Achelse Kluis
De Kluis 1
3930 Hamont-Achel
  • 68
  • 105
  • 106
  • 108
  • 110
  • 187
  • 188
  • 190
  • 193
  • 103
  • 102
  • 197
  • 73
  • 73
  • 04
  • 72
  • 71
  • 68
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