Cycling loop Heeswijk-Dinther | Brabant Monastery Trail
Discover San Damiano City Monastery, Berne Abbey and the surrounding countryside.
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This 45-km cycle loop takes you past the impressive city monastery in the heart of ’s-Hertogenbosch. Enjoy the meadow birds and countryside in Bossche Broek and Grote Wetering, two nature reserves steeped in history. And end your route at Berne Abbey.
It is and remains exceptional: a monastery in the middle of ’s-Hertogenbosch’s city centre. Until a few years ago, Capuchin friars lived in the monastery; today, it is home to both monks and people inspired by Saint Francis. This cycle route takes you from this urban oasis to natural green gems in no time.
Pause and reflect on the past and present
On the western side of ’s-Hertogenbosch, you cycle through Gr…
This 45-km cycle loop takes you past the impressive city monastery in the heart of ’s-Hertogenbosch. Enjoy the meadow birds and countryside in Bossche Broek and Grote Wetering, two nature reserves steeped in history. And end your route at Berne Abbey.
It is and remains exceptional: a monastery in the middle of ’s-Hertogenbosch’s city centre. Until a few years ago, Capuchin friars lived in the monastery; today, it is home to both monks and people inspired by Saint Francis. This cycle route takes you from this urban oasis to natural green gems in no time.
Pause and reflect on the past and present
On the western side of ’s-Hertogenbosch, you cycle through Grote Wetering, a nature reserve named after the canal that runs through it – a canal built by monks. To the south, you can enjoy the Bossche Broek and Haanwijk Estate. Along the way, you pass small and large landmarks from Brabant’s religious history. And despite their breathtaking appearance, these places also offer breathing space: room to look around, to pause and reflect on the past and present. This cycling trip feels like a wonderful break, after which you return to everyday life with your batteries fully recharged.
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
Skip map elementsLocations on this route
Abbey of Berne
This abbey was originally founded in the Dutch hamlet of Berne, but due to war and plundering it finally found its home in Heeswijk in 1857.
Abdijstraat 495473 AD Heeswijk
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Saint Willibrord church
The present parish church was built in 1895, and the church building was dedicated to St. Willibrord in 1896.
Castle Heeswijk
Together with St. John’s Cathedral in ’s-Hertogenbosch, the Grote Kerk church in Breda and the Markiezenhof in Bergen op Zoom, Kasteel Heeswijk is one of the four official Top Monuments in Brabant.
Haanwijk Estate
Haanwijk Estate is near the spot where the River Essche Stroom flows into the Dommel.
Bossche Broek
Unique is Het Bossche Broek, which borders the historic centre of the city, within walking distance of the centre.
Roman Catholic Capuchin Church
A neo-classical aisleless church dating from 1898, distinguished by its brick façade in Neo-Romanesque style.
San Damiano City Monastery
San Damiano City Monastery is a unique collaboration in the Netherlands between the different orders of the Franciscan family. Franciscans, Capuchins, Poor Clares and members of the Third Order live together here.
Former Monastery of Mariënburg
Diagonally across from the city monastery San Damiano, you can see the city monastery Mariënburg of the Sisters of J.M.J. (Jesus, Mary, Joseph) dating back to 1899. The sisters provided the education at the teacher training school (1925) aimed at poor girls.
Holy Spirit House
From 1268, the most important urban charitable institution was established here, the Table of the Holy Spirit, colloquially known as the Giving House, Almshouse, Almoners' House, or the Spint.
Nemiusstraat Monastery
The spatial layout of the Nemius Monastery makes it ideally suited as a place to live, learn and work under one roof.
Coudewater Estate
The Coudewater Estate is named after the former double abbey of the Order of the Brigittines and Brigittines. This was founded by Milla de Kampen and Peter de Gorter in 1434.
Grote Wetering
The Grote Wetering was constructed in the 13th century by monks from Vinkel. Back then, this canal was still called Monniksgraeve.
Abbey of Berne
This abbey was originally founded in the Dutch hamlet of Berne, but due to war and plundering it finally found its home in Heeswijk in 1857.
Abdijstraat 495473 AD Heeswijk
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Route features
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