Cycling stage 2: Heeswijk-Dinther – Megen | Brabant Monastery Trail
Cycle from Berne Abbey to Saint Anthony of Padua Monastery in Megen.
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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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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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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.
Saint Servatius Church
Saint Servatius Church stands in the heart of Schijndel.
Wijboschbroek Nature Reserve
Wijboschbroek is a wetland nature gem located between Schijndel and the Zuid-Willemsvaart canal.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Maria Refugie Abbey
The origins of Maria Refugie Abbey in Uden can be traced back to Rosmalen, on the estate known as Coudewater.
Sint-Petrus' Stoel van Antiochiëkerk
The first church was built around 1300. On Sunday, April 4, 1886, disaster struck.
Former monastery in St. John’s Convent
Next to St. Peter’s Church stood the St. John’s Convent.
Kruisheren Chapel Uden
The Kruisheren Chapel in Uden stands for people, connection and service to society.
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.
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.
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.
Herperduin Nature Reserve
Herperduin Nature Reserve forms part of the larger De Maashorst nature area.
St. Anne’s Chapel in Koolwijk
A historic chapel dedicated to St. Anne, located in Koolwijk, in the municipality of Oss.
Monastery Bethlehem Haren
In 1506, two Beguines founded a convent in their parents' house, which they named Bethlehem. The chapel was built in 1520.
Gevangentoren Megen
The Gevangenpoort is a gate tower in the town of Megen, built in the 14th century.
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.
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
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.
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.
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 65366 BH Megen
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