Cycling stage 8: Berkel-Enschot – Klein-Zundert | Brabant Monastery Trail
Cycle from Koningshoeven Abbey to the Abbey of Our Lady of Refuge in Zundert.
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This exceptional 56-km cycling stage connects two Trappist abbeys. Along the way, you cycle through and past several of North Brabant’s large nature reserves, including Chaam Woods, the Mastbos and De Pannenhoef. A brief trip across the Belgian border takes you to the Capuchin Monastery in Meersel-Dreef, where an international order is still active and welcomes visitors.
This wonderful cycle route both starts and ends at an abbey. In fact, the Abbey of Our Lady of Refuge in Zundert (the end point) was founded by Our Lady of Koningshoeven Abbey (the starting point), to shelter exiled French monks during the French Revolution.
Ora et labora
For beer enthusiasts: both abbeys brew their own Trappist bee…
This exceptional 56-km cycling stage connects two Trappist abbeys. Along the way, you cycle through and past several of North Brabant’s large nature reserves, including Chaam Woods, the Mastbos and De Pannenhoef. A brief trip across the Belgian border takes you to the Capuchin Monastery in Meersel-Dreef, where an international order is still active and welcomes visitors.
This wonderful cycle route both starts and ends at an abbey. In fact, the Abbey of Our Lady of Refuge in Zundert (the end point) was founded by Our Lady of Koningshoeven Abbey (the starting point), to shelter exiled French monks during the French Revolution.
Ora et labora
For beer enthusiasts: both abbeys brew their own Trappist beer. It reflects the principle of ‘ora et labora’ – Latin for ‘pray and work’, the motto that defines the daily rhythm of monastic life. And what about the rhythm of this cycling route? Between the two abbeys, you pass one of our country’s oldest coniferous forests: the Mastbos. This majestic forest features long avenues, fens and trees that have stood here for more than five hundred years. If you look at the landscape in De Pannenhoef Nature Reserve through a monk’s eyes, you may spot rare plants such as lousewort and marsh St John’s-wort. The Chaam Woods are a real highlight for bird lovers, with yellowhammers, redstarts and green woodpeckers among the species found here. And can you hear the cheerful song of the tree pipit?
Sometimes, greenery also becomes a place to honour a saint. You will notice this as you cycle south from Ulvenhout along the River Mark. Passing through the Marian blue gate opposite the Capuchin Monastery in Meersel-Dreef, you enter a small pilgrimage site with chapels and statue groups. The highlight is a replica of the grotto where Mary appeared to Bernadette in Lourdes. It is a wonderful and peaceful place even if you are not religious. When you cycle away, you may well feel a little lighter than before. Or is that merely the power of suggestion?
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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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
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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).
BROTHERHOUSE DIONYSIUS
In 1954, the Brothers of Tilburg built a new monastery between the church and the Saint Joseph House at Kruisvaardersstraat 32.
De Huyskamer Gilze
In 2022, Misset Horeca declared De Huyskamer Gilze to have the best patio of North Brabant. It is an award that the restaurant and bicycle café is rightfully proud of.
Nature reserve Chaam Woods
The Chaam Woods, between Breda and Tilburg, are part of the Barony of Breda.
Mark Valley
The Mark Valley is a nature area located between the Belgian border and the southern part of Breda, in the river Mark basin. Along beautifully situated paths, you can walk and cycle along the river.
Mastbos
The Mastbos was built more than 500 years ago by Hendrik III van Nassau. It is a mixed forest where beech avenues, vast heaths, dark coniferous and beautiful fens alternate.
De Kogelvanger
Restaurant De Kogelvanger is the ideal base for exploring Breda’s luscious green environment.
Nature reserve de Pannenhoef
Woodland, pools and flower-filled meadows are typical of de Pannenhoef , a beautiful nature reserve between Etten-Leur, Zundert, Rijsbergen and Sprundel, and with an area of no less than 706 hectares.
De Menmoerhoeve
At De Menmoerhoeve campsite, restaurant and activity farm, you can enjoy everything the countryside has to offer. If there’s anywhere you can literally immerse yourself in the Brabant farming life, it’s at this recreational farm.
De Moeren Nature Reserve
De Moeren Nature Reserve is west of Zundert. It has forests, meadows, agricultural fields, fens and pools.
Herberg In den Anker
If you are looking for a bit of nostalgia, ‘In den Anker’ is an authentic, charming pub where time seems to have stood still.
Herberg 't Pannehûske
This cosy and friendly forest café has been a household name in the region for almost a century and a half. With a playground and maze, not only is this a great resting place for cyclists and hikers but it is also an ideal place for the whole family.
Chapel of Oratory
A chapel of oratory (veldkapel) offers passers-by the opportunity to take a moment for contemplation and prayer.
De Kieviet Trappist Brewery - Abbey of Our Lady of Refuge
Zundert is one of two towns in the Netherlands where genuine Trappist beer is brewed.
Rucphenseweg 384882 KC Zundert
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