Black Kaat bicycle route
The bicycle route 'Zwarte Kaat' lets you hunt a legend. Feel her breath in the wind, hear her squeaky voice in the woods, get to know her character and immerse yourself in her conquests!
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Myths and legends live on in Brabant. The Black Kaat cycle route is a 36-kilometre route in the vicinity of the town of Bladel, that lets you hunt a legend. Feel her breath in the wind, hear her squeaky voice in the woods, get to know her character and immerse yourself in her conquests!
Black Kaat, the legend of De Kempen
Black Kaat, the Witch of Hell’s End, plundered farms and churches with her accomplices at the end of the sixteenth century. Her gang also ambushed travelling salesmen. Nobody was safe in these parts. With hair as black as a raven and an ugly crooked nose, she left behind her a trail of destruction. Anything she captured she d…
Myths and legends live on in Brabant. The Black Kaat cycle route is a 36-kilometre route in the vicinity of the town of Bladel, that lets you hunt a legend. Feel her breath in the wind, hear her squeaky voice in the woods, get to know her character and immerse yourself in her conquests!
Black Kaat, the legend of De Kempen
Black Kaat, the Witch of Hell’s End, plundered farms and churches with her accomplices at the end of the sixteenth century. Her gang also ambushed travelling salesmen. Nobody was safe in these parts. With hair as black as a raven and an ugly crooked nose, she left behind her a trail of destruction. Anything she captured she devoured, helped by her husband Bruno and the members of her gang. It gave them the strength each time to go on yet another successful night-time raid. Often the plans for the raid were hatched in the deepest secrecy at the watermill, close to Ten Vorsel farm. The historic avenue lined with beech trees close to the farm is a silent witness to these raids.
One day Black Kaat crept along the beech avenue to Ten Vorsel farmhouse in the middle of the woods in order to steal an unusual newborn. Baby Thomas had been born with a veil; the boy was brought into this world with the caul membrane, or helmet, covering his head. That was supposed to mean that Thomas could see into the future and bring good luck. Anyone who baptised him within one day would acquire that luck. So Black Kaat stole the charmed Thomas and took him away. That night she baptised the child as her own son in Postel Abbey.
Thomas Ten Vorsel proved to be a blessing. Black Kaat was rewarded with two periods of seven holy years. Then the tide turned and brought with it an end to her salvation. She didn’t need Thomas anymore as he no longer brought her any luck. Thankfully, Thomas was able to escape to Postel Abbey, just in time to warn the friendly monks of the brutal robbery his ‘mother’ was planning.
Meanwhile Black Kaat visited the abbey, supposedly to drink a pint of beer, unaware that an army had been warned and were on their way. She was trapped. The planned theft of valuable gold coins failed and all the members of the gang were hanged from the abbey gates.
Miraculously Black Kaat was able to escape and took refuge under a fallen tree. As though the devil had played his part, the surrounding trees were struck by lightning. What remained was a large circle with Black Kaat in the middle. Betrayed by the fire, the villain was caught, beheaded, and buried well away from the consecrated ground in the village; without a cross, on the heath and under a branch. The barley beer then flowed freely, batter was cooked, and to this day the people of the Kempen treat themselves to beer, pancakes, ice cream and chocolate. Finally, everyone was rid of the black evil. At least, that’s what they thought.
Black Kaat is alive! Her former headquarters on the Helleneind in Bladel bear witness to this. The witch of Hell’s End never went away. She is deeply rooted in the Kempen woods. It seems she is buried under the craggy Witch Tree that was once that small branch, on the Ten Vorsel Estate.
Allow yourself to be ambushed by Black Kaat and enjoy the legends that have been told in the Kempen for generations. But be wary of her sweet seduction. After all she is, and always will be, merciless and she has many faces. You need to have known her history; rough and without a shadow of remorse. According to some insiders, her influence ranged wider than many think. Take a moment, listen, and feel her presence. Feel her breath in the wind, hear her squeaky voice in the woods, get to know her character and immerse yourself in her conquests!
Route information
The route, which makes use of the numbered junction network, is 36 km long in total and passes through the village of Bladel. You will also encounter the villages of Reusel, and Postel in Belgium. The route starts at Recreatiepark Achterste Hoef (adress: Troprijt 10, Bladel) where you can park your car and get a bite to eat or go to the toilet if needed.
Need to recover from the shock?
After all this excitement you can relax with the delicious Black Kaat treats that have been developed by various local entrepreneurs. How about some Black Kaat beer, cheese, ice cream or chocolates?
Black Kaat beer - Brouwerij de Bolle Brouwketel
Black Kaat chocolates - De Chocolage
Black Kaat ice cream - IJsboerderij Fabor
Black Kaat cheese - De Hooiberg
Walking route
Did you know that we also have a walking route dedicated to the Witch Tree?
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Signposting
Simply follow the signs and cycle along the route from one numbered junction to the next.
Signposting
Simply follow the signs and cycle along the route from one numbered junction to the next.
Additional route information
We have more information available about this route.
Download more information-
Routes reporting point
Routes reporting pointIf there is something wrong on the route, report it here.
Sights on this route
Starting point
De Achterste Hoef
Troprijt 10
5531 NA Bladel
Navigate to starting point
Witch's Tree
Black Kaat was a menace to the Kempen region for many years. She was buried well away from the consecrated ground in the village; without a cross but1
Taverne d’n Ouwe Brandtoren
The Ouwe Brandtoren (Old Fire Tower) tavern, the beating heart of the Brandtoren Nature Gateway, is the perfect starting point for a walking, cycling1
Liberty Foodbar
Liberty Foodbar has a wide variety of delicious drinks and special dishes, which means that you can come to us for any occasion.
Story of the route
- Ten Vorsel farm
Black Kaat, the Witch of Hell’s End, plundered farms and churches with her accomplices at the end of the sixteenth century.One day Black Kaat crept along the beech avenue to Ten Vorsel farmhouse in the middle of the woods in order to steal an unusual newborn. Baby Thomas had been born with a veil; the boy was brought into this world with the caul membrane, or helmet, covering his head. That was supposed to mean that Thomas could see into the future and bring good luck. Anyone who baptised him within one day would acquire that luck. So Black Kaat stole the charmed Thomas and took him away. - Ten Vorsel watermill
Anything Black Kaat captured, she devoured, helped by her husband Bruno and the members of her gang. It gave them the strength each time to go on yet another successful night-time raid. Often the plans for the raid were hatched in the deepest secrecy at the watermill, close to Ten Vorsel farm. The historic avenue lined with beech trees close to the farm is a silent witness to these raids. - Postel abbey
So Black Kaat stole the charmed Thomas and took him away. That night she baptised the child as her own son in Postel Abbey. - Taverne D'n Ouwe Brandtoren
Taverne D'n Ouwe Brandtoren is an official Brabants Fietscafé; a Brabant Bicycle Café. In these bicycle cafés, cyclists are made to feel especially welcome! You can stop by for a delicious bite to eat or a refreshing drink, and make use of facilities such as a repair kit, bicycle pump and e-bike charging station. These bicycle cafés can be recognised by the hexagonal 'Brabants Fietscafé' sticker on the window. - Witch's Tree
Black Kaat is buried under an old beech tree deep in the Kempen woods. You’ll need to search hard to find this Witch’s Tree. Follow the directions if you dare, but be warned: Black Kaat’s spirit is still around!
- Cycle from junction 02 towards junction 15;
- After about one kilometre you will see three benches together, turn right here;
- Continue on the unpaved cycle path and after about 500 metres cross over the wide path;
- Continue cycling until you reach a crossing. Take note: you cannot cycle beyond this point so you must continue on foot;
- Turn right into the wide woodland path (walk past the sign showing ‘doodlopende weg’, which means a dead end);
- About 300 metres further on, keep left and follow the narrow path;
- Go through the fence;
- You will see the Witch’s Tree on the left after about 100 metres.
- 13
- 02
- 16
- 18
- 22
- 77
- 17
- 92
- 15
- 14
- 91
- 78
- 97
- 70
- 71
- 13
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