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Cycling stage 1: Boxtel – Veghel | German (Railway) Line

Ride through the Groene Woud or the Green Forest along the former railway line and discover old train stations.

( 2 hour 30 minutes ) 30 km

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Welcome! You are at the starting point of the German (Railway) Line. You may not think so, but this was an important railway connection between London, Berlin and Saint Petersburg. On this first stage, you cycle about 30 kilometres from Boxtel to Veghel. Reminders of the German (Railway) Line are still visible here: remains of the former railway line on part of the route, various old railway bridges and two stations that are no longer used. When the German (Railway) Line closed down, trains stopped arriving in Schijndel and Liempde. This route is unique, going past buildings and through the Green Forest, full of exciting stories and unique anecdotes. It was travelled by tsars and pilgrims, occupying forces and liberators. The whistle blows: time to leave!
The cycling tour along the German (Railway) Line consists of three day-long stages.

This is the first stage. Be sure to check stage 2 (from Veghel to Mill) and stage 3 (from Mill to Gennep) as well.

German (Railway) Line

The …

This is the first stage. Be sure to check stage 2 (from Veghel to Mill) and stage 3 (from Mill to Gennep) as well.

German (Railway) Line

The railway connection between Brabant’s Boxtel and Germany’s Wesel is the German (Railway) Line. This line transported people, post and products over more than 92 kilometres of railway track, bringing the world closer to northeastern Brabant. The mode of transport, new and fast at the time, made new developments in the region possible, especially in the area of industry. The German (Railway) Line no longer exists: the very last goods train rode over the track in 2004. What remains are the abandoned bridges, bits of track and the exciting stories. In three day-long stages by bicycle, you can re-experience the history of this unique railway connection. Each route is between 25 and 35 kilometres long, with green gems in the Brabant and Limburg countryside along the way and various visible reminders along the former train route. Will you join us?

Northeastern Brabant

The German (Railway) Line crosses four municipalities in North Brabant and one in Limburg. For more information about what else there is to do in these various areas, please consult the local websites: Beleef Boxtel (Experience Boxtel), Bezoek Meierijstad (Visit Meierijstad), Visit Land van Cuijk, Explore Maashorst and Visit Gennep.

Signposting

Simply follow the signs and cycle along the route from one numbered junction to the next.

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Sights on this route

Starting point:

Waypoint bike 47
Lennisheuvel
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Boxteler Baanplein

Exactly: this name still reminds us today of the "Duits Lijntje," also known as the "Boxteler Bahn."

Boxtel Station

The station gained international fame as the starting point of the "Duits Lijntje," which operated from 1873 to 1950.

Former Liempde Station

The station in Liempde was in operation for just under fifty years. But the station building still stands.

Railway Bridge of the Duits Lijntje over the Dommel

This is where trains on the Duits Lijntje once crossed on their way to Veghel.

Gatehouse 5

This level crossing, once part of the Duits Lijntje, has long been out of use.

Olland Stop

Here, at this very spot, far outside the built-up area, was one of the stops along the Duits Lijntje.

Former Schijndel Station

The distinctive white station building is now a private residence.

Village Départ

At the foot of Vlagheideberg you’ll encounter the Netherlands’ very first cycling village! It’s a unique cycling location and a hospitable spot where you can enjoy all things cycling all year round.

Schijndel Airfield

Toward the end of World War II, the Allies built a runway just south of the Duits Lijntje.

Eerde Stop | Gatehouse 12

Only a stretch of track and an information board remain to remind us of the Duits Lijntje stop that once stood here.

Gatehouse 14

The railway tracks are still clearly visible here—but the gatehouse that once stood at this spot is long gone.

Gatehouse 15

A charming little white house, with the number 15 painted in large digits. You’ve arrived at Gatehouse 15, part of the Duits Lijntje, and perhaps the best-preserved monument along the route.

Canal Railway Bridge

This is where the Duits Lijntje crossed the Zuid-Willemsvaart canal.

Rail Spur to the Freight Port | Veghel

At this spot, the Duits Lijntje branched off toward the freight port, further along the Zuid-Willemsvaart canal.

Grain Unloading Point

This is where grain—an important raw material for animal feed—was unloaded.

End point:

Waypoint bike 82
Veghel
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Cycling stage 1: Boxtel – Veghel | German (Railway) Line

Signposting

Signposting

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