Cycling loop Hamont-Achel | Brabant Monastery Trail
Cycle from Achelse Kluis through De Groote Heide cross-border park and surrounding area.
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.
You start this 48-km cycle loop at Achelse Kluis. Take a moment to enjoy the countryside before heading into the heart of Eindhoven. There are monasteries here too. On the edge of the city, you will first come across the Convent of the Poor Clares, followed by the former Mariënhage Monastery in the city centre. After a brief trip past Geldrop Castle, you cycle through the Leenderbos and back to Achelse Kluis before you know it.
The high ceilings. The colourful stained-glass windows. Th…
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.
You start this 48-km cycle loop at Achelse Kluis. Take a moment to enjoy the countryside before heading into the heart of Eindhoven. There are monasteries here too. On the edge of the city, you will first come across the Convent of the Poor Clares, followed by the former Mariënhage Monastery in the city centre. After a brief trip past Geldrop Castle, you cycle through the Leenderbos and back to Achelse Kluis before you know it.
The high ceilings. The colourful stained-glass windows. The characteristic reverberation you hear when you sing. Churches and monasteries still have a powerful appeal. Mariënhage Monastery in the heart of Eindhoven is a good example. It has been converted into an exclusive boutique hotel. Concerts, art exhibitions, lectures and funerals are held in the adjoining former monastery church of the Augustinians.
The freedom of expansiveness
The spacious design of such a building gives you a sense of freedom, much like the open countryside. You can experience that same feeling along the way, for example at De Groote Heide cross-border park. The expansive landscape, the scent of plants and flowers that change with every season, the tinkling song of the yellowhammer, a cool breeze through your hair – this is a feeling that cannot be matched.
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
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
Navigate to starting point
Malpie
A stones throw from Valkenswaard lies nature reserve De Malpie. The unparalleled beauty of this area led to Valkenswaard being voted “Hiking Municipality of the Year” in 2016.
De Groote Heide
De Groote Heide is a nature reserve with 6,000 hectares of stunning countryside, including heaths, forests, fens and rivers.
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.
Genneper Parken
Genneper Parken forms the access point to De Groote Heide Cross-border Nature Park.
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.
Kaffee Peijnenburg & Hotel Nijver
Be introduced to old crafts and enjoy them on the Horecaplein (‘Cafe Square’) in Geldrop, conveniently located between Eindhoven and Helmond. You can learn all about the history of Geldrop’s most famous factory in Kaffee Peijnenburg.
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
Navigate to endpoint
- 217
- 33
- 32
- 02
- 96
- 97
- 95
- 61
- 62
- 63
- 71
- 29
- 89
- 94
- 77
- 85
- 30
- 17
- 31
- 76
- 50
- 52
- 20
- 21
- 17
- 19
- 54
- 56
- 36
- 217
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.