Monastery Walk in De Groote Heide

This monastery walk will allow you to discover the beautiful countryside around the Achelse Kluis in Hamont-Achel in De Groote Heide heathland.

(2 hour 30 minutes) 11.2 km

Starting point: from your location


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This monastery walk will allow you to discover the beautiful countryside around the Achelse Kluis in Hamont-Achel in De Groote Heide heathland.

Experience monastic life 
Monastic life has brought much to Brabant. Get to know the stories of local monastic life while walking. Our Monastery Trail takes you past fifty historic monasteries and abbeys in fifteen stages. There are also beautiful shorter walks around various monasteries and convents. Each circular walk is described on a separate route map.

Finding the way with numbered junctions
This walking route has been set out using the numbered junction network in Brabant. Simply follow the route via the signposted junctions, from one number to the next. There are also signposts between the junctions to help you find your way. 

Sights on this route

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.

Starting point:

De Achelse Kluis
De Kluis 1
3930 Hamont-Achel
Navigate to starting point
De Achelse Kluis Abbey

Starting point:

Inspiratiepunt De Groote Heide / Achelse Kluis
De Kluis 1B
3930 Hamont-Achel
68
105

In the centre of this heathland region among several remote fens lies the remains of what used to be a conventicle (a secret or unlawful religious meeting), during the period that lasted from 1648 to 1672.

Starting point:

Beverbeekse Heide
Hamont-Achel
Location of former Border chapel
106
108
110

Many “pungelaars” (smugglers carrying burlap bags filled with contraband on their backs) followed small forest paths and sandy roads to cross the border along the Budel-Gastel route towards Achel and vice versa.

Starting point:

3930 Hamont-Achel
Den Doodendraad and National Border Post 175
187
188
190
193
103
102
197
73
73
04
72
71
68

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.

Starting point:

De Achelse Kluis
De Kluis 1
3930 Hamont-Achel
Navigate to endpoint
De Achelse Kluis Abbey

Story of the route

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.

Starting point:

De Achelse Kluis
De Kluis 1
3930 Hamont-Achel
Navigate to starting point
De Achelse Kluis Abbey
  • The Achelse Kluis
  • Former border chapel
  • Den Doodendraad (‘Wire of Death’)
    The Germans erected a 332 kilometre wire barrier along the border and right through the garden at the Achelse Kluis monastery to prevent spies, resistance workers, smugglers and refugees from crossing the border without being noticed. Two thousand volts running through this so-called ‘Wire of Death’ ensured that nobody could get through. A reconstruction of the Wire shows the dramatic events that took place here during the war years.
  • Former De Hoef farmhouse

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.

Starting point:

De Achelse Kluis
De Kluis 1
3930 Hamont-Achel
Navigate to endpoint
De Achelse Kluis Abbey
  • 68
  • 105
  • 106
  • 108
  • 110
  • 187
  • 188
  • 190
  • 193
  • 103
  • 102
  • 197
  • 73
  • 73
  • 04
  • 72
  • 71
  • 68
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