Cycling stage 5: Aarle-Rixtel – Hamont-Achel | Brabant Monastery Trail
Cycle from the Missionary Convent of the Holy Blood to Achelse Kluis, just across the border in Belgium.
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Please note! The cycle path along the Oude Spoorbaan between Waalre and Valkenswaard is closed until around March 2027 due to work being carried out by Enexis. Follow the signed diversion on site.
This 65-km cycling stage takes you from the heart of Eindhoven to an ancient landscape in the blink of an eye. Discover the Convent of the Poor Clares just outside Eindhoven and wind your way along the River Dommel, passing the distinctive watermills. The route takes you through kilometres of stunning countryside before the impressive abbey suddenly comes into view: the Achelse Kluis.
Eindhoven is known as the city of technology, design and knowledge. The contrast with the ancient farming land on its doorstep could not be greater. Genneper Parken nature reserve, where the Dommel and Tongelreep rivers converge, includes a botanical garden, a reconstructed (pre-)historic village, a watermill painted by Vincent van Gogh and a thriving organic farm. You cycle straight through it.
Monasteries amid the greenery
Nestle…
Please note! The cycle path along the Oude Spoorbaan between Waalre and Valkenswaard is closed until around March 2027 due to work being carried out by Enexis. Follow the signed diversion on site.
This 65-km cycling stage takes you from the heart of Eindhoven to an ancient landscape in the blink of an eye. Discover the Convent of the Poor Clares just outside Eindhoven and wind your way along the River Dommel, passing the distinctive watermills. The route takes you through kilometres of stunning countryside before the impressive abbey suddenly comes into view: the Achelse Kluis.
Eindhoven is known as the city of technology, design and knowledge. The contrast with the ancient farming land on its doorstep could not be greater. Genneper Parken nature reserve, where the Dommel and Tongelreep rivers converge, includes a botanical garden, a reconstructed (pre-)historic village, a watermill painted by Vincent van Gogh and a thriving organic farm. You cycle straight through it.
Monasteries amid the greenery
Nestled between the stream valley and Eindhoven’s built-up area lies the beautiful Convent of the Poor Clares.The nuns have since departed and the buildinghas been given a new lease of life as a hotel. After cycling through the forests of Waalre and the richly scented conifer forests of the Leenderbos, you cross the border into Belgium almost without noticing. There, amid the countryside, lies Achelse Kluis, an enormous neo-Gothic abbey. What makes it particularly special is that the border runs straight through it. With its sturdy entrance gate and towers rising proudly into the sky, the sheer grandeur of this place is impossible to miss.
Cycle or walk the Brabant Monastery Trail
North Brabant is home to hundreds of monastery buildings, more than forty of which are still inhabited. A range of short- and long-distance routes take you through Brabant’s rich monastic heritage, past numerous monasteries and abbeys that tell the story of monastic life then and now. You can, for example, walk the 300-km Brabant Monastery Trail, or cycle the Brabant Monastery Trail, covering more than 700 km. These long-distance routes are divided into multiple stages. If you would prefer a shorter route, choose one of the lovely circular walks or cycle loops. Brabant invites you to slow down, find stillness and wonder.
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Tips from Brabant residents
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Missionary Convent Heilig Bloed
Among the fields northeast of Aarle-Rixtel lies Missionary Convent Heilig Bloed (holy blood).
Kloosterdreef 75735 SJ Aarle Rixtel
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‘t Gulden Land Nature Reserve
In the coming years, ‘t Gulden Land will be developed into a fully-fledged nature reserve.
Angela's House
From 1970 to 2014, it served as a convent for the Ursulines, providing housing for sisters returning from their missions, and was located in the former rectory, built in 1895.
Church of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Church of Our Lady of the Presentation is what is known as a “water board church.”
Mariëngaarde Chapel
The round chapel was built in 1959 at Huize Mariëngaarde, part of the former Our Lady of the Visitation Convent. This modern chapel has since been repurposed as a medical center.
De Warande and Peapark Villa
The former hunting ground of the Lord of Helmond on the west side of Helmond is now De Warande city park. Hunting no longer takes place here. Today, De Warande is a public walking and recreational park.
Boktse Beemden
‘Beemden’ or ‘carrs’ are grasslands along a brook, which are too wet for cattle to graze.
Sint Jozefdal and Eckart Castle
The “hof Eykart” was first mentioned in 1312, and in 1695 a castle was built by Jonkheer Carel van Vlierden. Next to the farmhouse were a coach house and an ice cellar.
Mariënhage Monastery
In the Middle Ages, a castle stood on the site of Mariënhage Monastery. In the early fifteenth century, the lord of the castle donated it to five religious men from Eindhoven.
Genneper Parken
Genneper Parken forms the access point to De Groote Heide Cross-border Nature Park.
Genneper Watermolen
Throughout the centuries, the mill has been rebuilt and restored on numerous occasions. It has also had various functions, such as an oil mill and a fulling mill.
Leenderbos/Groote Heide
The Leenderbos/Groote Heide used to be a run-of-the-mill production forest. Nature has since been allowed to take its course and the vegetation is becoming increasingly more varied and therefore more attractive to various species. The Leenderbos/Groote He
Nature Border Park De Groote Heide: The Leenderbos
The Leenderbos, Groote Heide, and Valkenhorst together form a very extensive nature reserve on a continuous sand ridge between Eindhoven and Achel in Belgium. It consists of coniferous forests, heathlands, and fishing ponds, intersected by several stream valleys.
De Groote Heide / Achelse Kluis Visitor Center
At the De Groote Heide / Achelse Kluis Visitor Center, you’ll get to know the region through interactive experiences. And all your senses will be stimulated!
De Achelse Kluis Abbey
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 KluisDe Kluis 1/A
3930 Hamont-Achel
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