Cycling stage 6: Hamont-Achel – Vessem | Brabant Monastery Trail
Cycle from Achelse Kluis to Pelgrimsherberg Kafarnaüm in Vessem.
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This 63-km cycling stage follows the River Dommel northwards. The stunning Malpie Nature Reserve is sure to impress. Follow the route towards the Kempen region, where the Cartierheide Nature Reserve offers another glimpse of Brabant’s natural beauty. Before reaching Vessem, the route takes you through Belgium once more, past the Flemish gem that is Postel Abbey.
Along and across the Belgian border. This cycle route briefly takes you into another country, making the area you pass through all the more special. The atmosphere here feels different from the rest of North Brabant – it’s a little like being on holiday.
Natural beauty on the border
You can certainly sense that at the Malpie Nature reserve. It…
This 63-km cycling stage follows the River Dommel northwards. The stunning Malpie Nature Reserve is sure to impress. Follow the route towards the Kempen region, where the Cartierheide Nature Reserve offers another glimpse of Brabant’s natural beauty. Before reaching Vessem, the route takes you through Belgium once more, past the Flemish gem that is Postel Abbey.
Along and across the Belgian border. This cycle route briefly takes you into another country, making the area you pass through all the more special. The atmosphere here feels different from the rest of North Brabant – it’s a little like being on holiday.
Natural beauty on the border
You can certainly sense that at the Malpie Nature reserve. Its name is said to have come from the French ‘mals pays’: the French apparently regarded it as ‘poor land’ when they built the Napoleonic road through the area. Another intriguing name is Cartierheide, named after an old Walloon family who bought the land here in 1863. With all this natural beauty and tranquillity, it is easy to understand why various religious orders chose to settle here. Postel Abbey is one such example, and one of Flanders’s gems. When the border wasestablished following Belgium’s independence in 1830, the Belgians were determined at all costs to keep the abbey on their side of the border. Once you see it, you will understand why.
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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De Achelse Kluis Abbey
De Achelse Kluis Abbey
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.
De Achelse Kluis
De Kluis 1/A
3930 Hamont-Achel
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De Groote Heide / Achelse Kluis Visitor Center
De Groote Heide / Achelse Kluis Visitor Center
At the De Groote Heide / Achelse Kluis Visitor Center, you’ll get to know the region through interactive experiences. And all your senses will be stimulated!
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Malpie
Malpie
A stones throw from Valkenswaard lies nature reserve De Malpie. The unparalleled beauty of this area led to Valkenswaard being voted “Hiking Municipality of the Year” in 2016.
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De Groote Heide
De Groote Heide
De Groote Heide is a nature reserve with 6,000 hectares of stunning countryside, including heaths, forests, fens and rivers.
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De Drie Linden
De Drie Linden
The beautiful village of Luyksgestel, known for its many, well-maintained hiking and cycle routes, is located in the centre of Kempen. This village is a must if you are going for a bicycle ride in this part of North Brabant.
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TerSpegelt Recreation Park
TerSpegelt Recreation Park
TerSpegelt Recreation Park is a five-star family campsite in the middle of the Kempen region of Brabant. Holidaypark TerSpegelt is named 'ANWB TopCamping 2019', which makes it one of the leading campsites in Europe.
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Cartierheide
Cartierheide
The Cartierheide is a nature reserve that is part of the Nature Reserve De Kempen.
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Cheese farm de Ruurhoeve
Cheese farm de Ruurhoeve
Cheese is inextricably linked to the Netherlands. Come to De Ruurhoeve cheese farm and enjoy the most delicious traditional cheeses from the Kempen region or follow a cheese making workshop. Learn all about the ‘from grass to cheese’ process.
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St. Pancratius Church
St. Pancratius Church
The tower of St. Lambert’s Church dates back to the 15th century (c. 1475) and is known as a fine example of Kempen Gothic architecture. The church was founded by the chapter of Oirschot.
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St. Pancratius Tower
St. Pancratius Tower
The St. Pancratius Tower was built around 1400. Inside the tower hangs a tithe bell dating from 1435. The tithe bell announced the arrival of the tithe collector.
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Our Lady’s Chapel in Hoogeloon
Our Lady’s Chapel in Hoogeloon
Our Lady’s Chapel was a gift from the town of Hoogeloon to Harrie Beex, the parish priest at the time. The chapel was designed by architect Jos Bedaux (1910–1989) of Tilburg.
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Jacobushoeve
Jacobushoeve
The Jacobushoeve opened its doors in 1991 as a thrift store and community center, and was founded by the brothers. Brother Fons walked to Santiago de Compostela.
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St. Lambertus Church in Vessem
St. Lambertus Church in Vessem
The origins of St. Lambertus Church date back to the Middle Ages. At that time, the right to appoint priests in Vessem rested with the chapter of Oirschot.
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Kafarnaüm Pilgrims’ Hostel
Kafarnaüm Pilgrims’ Hostel
The Pilgrims’ Hostel is located just behind the church in Vessem. Since the late 1970s, the farmhouse had served as a friary for several brothers of the Congregation of the Brothers of Our Lady of Lourdes.
Servatiusstraat 11
5512 AJ Vessem
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