Brabant Monastery Trail Stage 1: ‘s-Hertogenbosch - Heeswijk
This walking route runs from city monastery San Damiano in 's-Hertogenbosch to the Abbey of Berne in Heeswijk.
Show all 5 photos
This walking route allows amblers to discover the area between 's-Hertogenbosch and Heeswijk. It runs from city monastery San Damiano in 's-Hertogenbosch to the Abbey of Berne in Heeswijk. On the way you will pass various locations such as former monastery Mariënburg and St John's Cathedral. You can also explore confraternity house Zwanenbroedershuis and Heeswijk Castle. This route is part of Brabant Monastery Trail, a trail in 15 stages.
Staying overnight
A number of monasteries along Brabant Monastery Trail have the option of staying the night. Always check in advance what is possible, some monasteries are only open on certain days. For all locations and up-to-date information, please visit brabantskloosterleven.nl (Dutch language). There are many hospitable hotels, B&Bs, campsites and other locations where you can stay the night in the trail’s surroundings. You can find an accommodation from this list of places to stay in Brabant.
Brabant Monastery Trail
While walking, …
This walking route allows amblers to discover the area between 's-Hertogenbosch and Heeswijk. It runs from city monastery San Damiano in 's-Hertogenbosch to the Abbey of Berne in Heeswijk. On the way you will pass various locations such as former monastery Mariënburg and St John's Cathedral. You can also explore confraternity house Zwanenbroedershuis and Heeswijk Castle. This route is part of Brabant Monastery Trail, a trail in 15 stages.
Staying overnight
A number of monasteries along Brabant Monastery Trail have the option of staying the night. Always check in advance what is possible, some monasteries are only open on certain days. For all locations and up-to-date information, please visit brabantskloosterleven.nl (Dutch language). There are many hospitable hotels, B&Bs, campsites and other locations where you can stay the night in the trail’s surroundings. You can find an accommodation from this list of places to stay in Brabant.
Brabant Monastery Trail
While walking, become acquainted with the life and work of the Brabant monks and nuns – then and now. Brabant Monastery Trail takes you past around fifty-five monasteries and abbeys in North Brabant in various stages. The total length of the trail is 330 kilometres, but there are also beautiful trails marked out around various monasteries.
-
Signposting
Simply follow the signs and cycle along the route from one numbered junction to the next. Note: There is no signage from the starting point Stadsklooster San Damiano to the first junction 84.
Signposting
Simply follow the signs and cycle along the route from one numbered junction to the next. Note: There is no signage from the starting point Stadsklooster San Damiano to the first junction 84.
-
Hotline routes
Hotline routesIf there is something wrong on the route, report it here.
Tips from Brabant residents
Skip map elementsLocations on this route
Stadsklooster San Damiano
Van der Does de Willeboissingel 12
5211 CB ‘s-Hertogenbosch
Navigate to starting point
Former Monastery of Mariënburg
Diagonally across from the city monastery San Damiano, you can see the city monastery Mariënburg of the Sisters of J.M.J. (Jesus, Mary, Joseph) dating back to 1899. The sisters provided the education at the teacher training school (1925) aimed at poor girls.
Gate Hof van St. Truiden
The Gate Hof van St. Truiden leads to the garden behind the properties Postelstraat 64-68, which were owned by the Abbey of Sint-Truiden until the 15th century.
Former Franciscan Monastery
Only a few years after the death of Saint Francis (1226), the Franciscan Monastery was established against the oldest city wall.
Saint John
Saint John's Cathedral is the largest cathedral in the Netherlands, and together with Heeswijk Castle, The Markiezenhof and Breda's Grote Kerk, is one of Brabant's four official Top Monuments.
Holy Spirit House
From 1268, the most important urban charitable institution was established here, the Table of the Holy Spirit, colloquially known as the Giving House, Almshouse, Almoners' House, or the Spint.
Zwanenbroedershuis
Museum Zwanenbroedershuis of the Illustrious Brotherhood of Our Lady has been located in 's-Hertogenbosch since 1318.
Former Reinier van Arkel Asylum
This house was founded in 1442 for the 'insane' and was the oldest psychiatric institution in the Netherlands. In 1838, the building took on its current appearance.
Jheronimus Bosch Art Center
The body of work produced by Hieronymus Bosch can be found in museums and collections across the world.
Great Armory / former St. James Church
The Groot Tuighuis is the home base of Heritage 's-Hertogenbosch. Here, you can see and experience what 's-Hertogenbosch looked like in bygone centuries, how the people lived there, and who they were.
Coudewater Estate
The Coudewater Estate is named after the former double abbey of the Order of the Brigittines and Brigittines. This was founded by Milla de Kampen and Peter de Gorter in 1434.
Grote Wetering
The Grote Wetering was constructed in the 13th century by monks from Vinkel. Back then, this canal was still called Monniksgraeve.
Castle Heeswijk
Together with St. John’s Cathedral in ’s-Hertogenbosch, the Grote Kerk church in Breda and the Markiezenhof in Bergen op Zoom, Kasteel Heeswijk is one of the four official Top Monuments in Brabant.
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.
- 84
- 83
- 87
- 14
- 89
- 56
- 69
- 11
- 09
- 47
- 8
- 7
- 40
- 37
- 93
- 12
- 20
- 21
- 23
- 24
- 33
- 34
Route features
-
8 things to do with children in North Brabant
North Brabant is a location that draws you closer to those unforgettable moments with the entire family. Will you choose a swimming paradise, an amusement park or a childproof museum? Plan your ideal family outing in the Netherlands in North Brabant.
-
7 places to go in the Brabant countryside with children
Adventure is there for the taking in the Brabant countryside. Getting some exercise, playing and being outdoors means quality time with the whole family. Follow fun children’s routes and gnome paths together.
-
Tips for a sustainable weekend away or day out in North Brabant
Does travelling actually fit within a sustainable lifestyle? Yes, it does! Often, small adjustments can make a huge difference.
-
A cultural city trip: Breda and surrounding area
Breda is a city filled with unique stories, some of which you will learn about during this two-day trip.
-
From monastery gardens to drifting sand dunes: a 5-day motorhome road trip through the Van Gogh National Park
Hike and cycle through Van Gogh National Park on a 5-day east–west route. Discover nature, local flavours, and stories, with welcoming motorhome stops near monasteries, castles, woods, dunes, and lively Brabant towns.
-
Reflection and wonder on a two-day walking trail
For centuries, Brabant’s countryside has inspired monks and Van Gogh. Follow their footsteps on a 2-day walk past monasteries, abbeys, and the Oisterwijk Forests & Fens, with a night in the peaceful countryside.
-
A weekend for slowing down in North Brabant
Two days of wandering through monasteries, castles, forts and fortified cities with plenty of time along the way for culinary enjoyment at creative food hotspots – this is possible in North Brabant.
-
A long weekend of surprises in the heart of Brabant
Allow yourself three days to be amazed by a part of North Brabant between Tilburg and Esbeek, close to the Belgian border.
-
5 times UNESCO in North Brabant
UNESCO is best known for the World Heritage List. But UNESCO also recognises heritage in other areas, which means you will encounter UNESCO sites also in North Brabant.
-
Slow travel along the best parts of the Land van de Peel
A region where the heart beats to the unmistakable Brabant hospitality, individuality, and passion for enjoying life in a way that only the people of Brabant know how to do.