Cycling stage 2: Heeswijk-Dinther – Megen | Brabant Monastery Trail

Cycle from Berne Abbey to Saint Anthony of Padua Monastery in Megen.

3 hour 50 minutes 69 km

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This 69-km cycling stage takes you through some remarkable nature reserves, including Wijboschbroek and the Maashorst. The route ends in the charming village of Megen on the Maas, where the tower of the Saint Anthony of Padua Monastery rises above the river and its floodplains.

Has religion disappeared from North Brabant? Yes, daily prayer and religious observance have declined considerably in recent decades. Yet people still seek hope and solace at chapels and churches, lighting candles for loved ones and even saints of old, as they do in Megen, where this cycle stage ends.

A wish for someone else  

Almost every day, people tuck notes into Brother Everardus’s sleev…

This 69-km cycling stage takes you through some remarkable nature reserves, including Wijboschbroek and the Maashorst. The route ends in the charming village of Megen on the Maas, where the tower of the Saint Anthony of Padua Monastery rises above the river and its floodplains.

Has religion disappeared from North Brabant? Yes, daily prayer and religious observance have declined considerably in recent decades. Yet people still seek hope and solace at chapels and churches, lighting candles for loved ones and even saints of old, as they do in Megen, where this cycle stage ends.

A wish for someone else  

Almost every day, people tuck notes into Brother Everardus’s sleeves. This ‘Holy Little Brother’ died in 1950 and has rested in this chapel, named after him, since 1954. If you have a wish or prayer for someone, write it down and leave the note here. Everardus will pass it on to God. Cycling this route through the forests and heaths of the ancient landscape of De Maashorst, past the fens and sand drifts of the Herperduin Nature Reserve, and through the grasslands and past flocks of sheep in Wijboschbroek Nature Reserve brings a sense of calm, rhythm and space. These are enduring values found behind the walls of the many monasteries you will encounter along the way – and they can be just as restorative for those travelling by bike. 

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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Locations 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 49
    5473 AD  Heeswijk
    Navigate to starting point
    Abbey of Berne
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  • Sint-Jozef Monastery Zusters van Liefde

    The congregation of the Sisters of Charity was founded in Schijndel in 1836. Its motherhouse on Pastoor van Erpstraat, the Saint Joseph Monastery, is a designated national monument.

    Sint-Jozef Monastery Zusters van Liefde
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  • Saint Servatius Church

    Saint Servatius Church stands in the heart of Schijndel.

    Saint Servatius Church
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  • Wijboschbroek Nature Reserve

    Wijboschbroek is a wetland nature gem located between Schijndel and the Zuid-Willemsvaart canal.

    Wijboschbroek Nature Reserve
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  • Saint Lambert Church, Veghel

    Saint Lambert Church in Veghel is a large three-aisled Neo-Gothic cruciform basilica. This national monument was designed by the renowned architect Pierre Cuypers.

    Saint Lambert Church, Veghel

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  • Broederkapel

    Enjoy a meaningful experience in the beautiful Broederkapel in Veghel. A unique venue for high tea, lunch, coffee and cake, meetings or drinks, where hospitality takes centre stage.

    Broederkapel
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  • Our Lady of Good Counsel Church

    This Roman Catholic church in Mariaheide was inaugurated on 1 May 1908 and was built in a restrained Neo-Gothic style. The church was designed by J. van Groenendael.

    Our Lady of Good Counsel Church
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  • Museum Krona

    Museum Krona is part of an ancient abbey complex, partially inhabited by Brigittine sisters. In this unique setting with an herb garden, ancient and contemporary art are connected with each other.

    Museum Krona

  • Maria Refugie Abbey

    The origins of Maria Refugie Abbey in Uden can be traced back to Rosmalen, on the estate known as Coudewater.

    Maria Refugie Abbey
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  • Sint-Petrus' Stoel van Antiochiëkerk

    The first church was built around 1300. On Sunday, April 4, 1886, disaster struck.

    Sint-Petrus' Stoel van Antiochiëkerk

  • Former monastery in St. John’s Convent

    Next to St. Peter’s Church stood the St. John’s Convent.

    Former monastery in St. John’s Convent

  • Kruisheren Chapel Uden

    The Kruisheren Chapel in Uden stands for people, connection and service to society.

    Kruisheren Chapel Uden

  • Former home of Saint Columba

    At the request of Pastor Spierings, the Franciscans of Veghel took over the schools of the Ursulines on July 1, 1909.

    Former home of Saint Columba
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  • Nature reserve De Maashorst

    The forest you walk thru was around 1915 a large heathland with many wet hollows: low-lying, moist areas. Especially in the winter, a large part was underwater and there was plenty of ice skating.

    Nature reserve De Maashorst
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  • Slabroek Urn Field

    Centuries ago, people already lived in De Maashorst. This is evidenced by the many traces that archaeologists have discovered over the past century.

    Slabroek Urn Field
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  • Herperduin Nature Reserve

    Herperduin Nature Reserve forms part of the larger De Maashorst nature area.

    Herperduin Nature Reserve
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  • St. Anne’s Chapel in Koolwijk

    A historic chapel dedicated to St. Anne, located in Koolwijk, in the municipality of Oss.

    St. Anne’s Chapel in Koolwijk
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  • Monastery Bethlehem Haren

    In 1506, two Beguines founded a convent in their parents' house, which they named Bethlehem. The chapel was built in 1520.

    Monastery Bethlehem Haren
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  • Gevangentoren Megen

    The Gevangenpoort is a gate tower in the town of Megen, built in the 14th century.

    Gevangentoren Megen

  • Brother Everardus chapel

    In Megen, the Holy Bruurke enjoys some recognition. Brother Everardus Witte (1868-1950) was the porter at the monastery from around 1920 until his death in 1950.

    Brother Everardus chapel

  • Hof van Lof

    Adjacent to the Franciscan monastery lies the walled monastery garden, which served as a vegetable garden for centuries. When the number of friars in the monastery declined, the garden was repurposed

    Hof van Lof

  • Saint Servatius church Megen

    The Saint Servatius church is a Roman Catholic church in the Dutch town of Megen, dedicated to Saint Servatius of Maastricht.

    Saint Servatius church Megen
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  • Klooster Sint-Josephsberg

    The Sint-Josephsberg Monastery of the Order of the Poor Ladies is the oldest still inhabited Poor Clare monastery in the Netherlands.

    Klooster Sint-Josephsberg

  • Saint Anthony of Padua Monastery

    Two monasteries along the River Meuse in Megen are still inhabited today. The Poor Clares live in Saint Joseph’s Hill Monastery, while the Order of Friars Minor resides in the Saint Anthony Monastery.

    Kloosterstraat 6
    5366 BH  Megen
    Navigate to endpoint
    Saint Anthony of Padua Monastery
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