Cycling loop Tilburg | Brabant Monastery Trail
Cycle from Our Lady of Koningshoeven Abbey on a varied loop through the city, villages and countryside.
Show all 4 photos
Discover the green and leafy surroundings of Tilburg on this 43-km cycling loop starting at the Trappist Koningshoeven Abbey. Cycle through Gorp and Roovert Estate and discover Nieuwkerk Monastery, an idyllic retreat also known as the Monastery of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. From there, the Bels Lijntje cycle path takes you straight back to Tilburg.
From Tilburg to the Belgian border and back again. Not so long ago, a tourist steam train ran along the Bels Lijntje. Today, the former railway track is a pleasant, paved cycle path through forests and past fields, an important part of this nature-rich route.
Time to catch your breath
Right next to the Belgian-Dutch border, at the southernmost p…
Discover the green and leafy surroundings of Tilburg on this 43-km cycling loop starting at the Trappist Koningshoeven Abbey. Cycle through Gorp and Roovert Estate and discover Nieuwkerk Monastery, an idyllic retreat also known as the Monastery of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. From there, the Bels Lijntje cycle path takes you straight back to Tilburg.
From Tilburg to the Belgian border and back again. Not so long ago, a tourist steam train ran along the Bels Lijntje. Today, the former railway track is a pleasant, paved cycle path through forests and past fields, an important part of this nature-rich route.
Time to catch your breath
Right next to the Belgian-Dutch border, at the southernmost point of this cycling route, lies Nieuwkerk Monastery. Where Franciscan nuns once rested after returning from their missionary work, there is now a hotel and restaurant. The monastery sits idyllically in the woods. It is easy to see why the nuns could catch their breath here. Not far away lies another green and leafy spot, rich in oxygen: Gorp and Roovert Estate. A breath of fresh air for lovers of flora, fauna and tranquillity. Enjoy!
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.
-
Hotline routes
Hotline routesIf there is something wrong on the route, report it here.
Tips from Brabant residents
Skip map elementsLocations on this route
Koningshoeven Abbey
All of the La Trappe beers have been created and are brewed here, together with the Trappists of Our Lady of Koningshoeven Abbey.
Eindhovenseweg 35056 RP Berkel-Enschot
Navigate to starting point
Saint Peter’s Church
Saint Peter’s Church stems from 990! A tuff stone church was built here at that time. The current (Gothic) church and tower date back to around 1300.
Roovertse Leij
A small river flows from Belgium into the estate of Gorp and Roovert, meandering entirely naturally through the forest.
Natuurpoort Roovertsche Leij
As a Nature Gate, the eating and drinking venue De Roovertsche Leij is the starting point from which to explore the surrounding countryside.
MOTHER HOUSE OF THE SISTERS OF CHARITY
The Sisters of Charity was one of the largest congregations of our country. The sisters resided in a weaving shop in ‘t Heike in 1832.
HEIKESE CHURCH
The Heikese church was the parish church of Tilburg. The neo-Gothic church had to be relinquished to the Protestants in 1648.
FORMER VISITANDINE CONVENT
Fleeing the Kulturkampf in Germany, the sisters of the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary (Orde van O.L. Vrouw Visitatie) arrived in Tilburg.
FORMER CONVENT OF THE FRANCISCAN SISTERS OF THE HOLY FAMILY
The Franciscan sisters moved from Nijmegen and Eupen to Tilburg in 1888. In 1896 they moved into their first convent at Bisschop Zwijsenstraat (nos. 18 and 20).
CONVENT OF THE FRANCISCAN SISTERS OF OIRSCHOT
In 1973, several Sisters of Oirschot settled in this residence at Gerard van Swietenstraat 81, applying themselves to education, social care and caring for elderly friars.
Villa Moerenburg
Villa Moerenburg, built around 1310, was one of the first stone houses in Tilburg. It was sold to the Tongerlo abbey at the end of the 14th century and served as a rectory.
FORMER CONVENT EIGENHORST
In May 1950, the Brothers with the Blue Cords (officially the Brothers of our Lady of Sorrows, Catholic Social Doctrine) began an open house for youth who were working and studying, naming it the Eigenhorst Boys’ House (Jongenshuis Eigenhorst).
Koningshoeven Abbey
All of the La Trappe beers have been created and are brewed here, together with the Trappists of Our Lady of Koningshoeven Abbey.
Eindhovenseweg 35056 RP Berkel-Enschot
Navigate to endpoint
- 82
- 06
- 05
- 05
- 42
- 51
- 38
- 50
- 77
- 75
- 76
- 12
- 70
- 74
- 34
- 09
- 10
- 80
- 67
- 68
- 02
- 79
- 78
- 76
- 82
Route features
-
7 places to go in the Brabant countryside with children
Adventure is there for the taking in the Brabant countryside. Getting some exercise, playing and being outdoors means quality time with the whole family. Follow fun children’s routes and gnome paths together.
-
From city to silence: a four-day cycling trip through North Brabant
Make sure your e-bike is fully charged and get ready for a four-day cycling holiday with plenty of delicious spots to take a break.
-
A cultural city trip: Breda and surrounding area
Breda is a city filled with unique stories, some of which you will learn about during this two-day trip.
-
From monastery gardens to drifting sand dunes: a 5-day motorhome road trip through the Van Gogh National Park
Hike and cycle through Van Gogh National Park on a 5-day east–west route. Discover nature, local flavours, and stories, with welcoming motorhome stops near monasteries, castles, woods, dunes, and lively Brabant towns.
-
A long weekend of surprises in the heart of Brabant
Allow yourself three days to be amazed by a part of North Brabant between Tilburg and Esbeek, close to the Belgian border.
-
5 times UNESCO in North Brabant
UNESCO is best known for the World Heritage List. But UNESCO also recognises heritage in other areas, which means you will encounter UNESCO sites also in North Brabant.
-
Slow travel along the best parts of the Land van de Peel
A region where the heart beats to the unmistakable Brabant hospitality, individuality, and passion for enjoying life in a way that only the people of Brabant know how to do.
-
Cycling in the footsteps of Philips and Van Gogh in Eindhoven
Anyone exploring North Brabant will sooner or later follow in the footsteps of local icons. These are sure to include the Philips brothers and Vincent van Gogh, the master painter.
-
Cycling past the highlights of the Brabantse Wal
Sandwiched between Zeeland and the Belgian border lies the Brabantse Wal or Brabant Ridge – an area where the higher sandy ground merges into polders of marine clay soil. Let's explore this area by bicycle starting in the historic city, Bergen op Zoom.
-
A weekend of Van Gogh and New Dutch
Innovative, persistent and just a bit of a rebel. Immerse yourself for a whole weekend in New Dutch in Eindhoven and cycle in the footsteps of Van Gogh to picturesque Nuenen.