From city to silence: a four-day cycling trip through North Brabant
Did you know that in North Brabant you can cycle effortlessly from Van Gogh heritage to monastic wines, and from shifting sands to city squares? And that at a leisurely pace, with full focus. Make sure your e-bike is fully charged and get ready for a four-day cycling holiday with plenty of delicious spots to take a break.
Day 1: The area around Breda - Auf den Spuren von van Gogh
Your route starts in Etten-Leur, the place where Van Gogh’s dream of becoming an artist took shape. Stepping inside the church where his father once preached, you are immersed in Van Gogh’s world through the Van Gogh Experience, where the walls come to life with colourful projections, his letters tell you their stories, and details you may not have noticed before suddenly take on meaning. A short distance away, you will find the charming Paulushofje (courtyard), where a guided tour in the eponymous museum and a cup of tea offer a moment of calm and transport you to the time when Van Gogh lived.
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Van Gogh Etten-Leur
Van Gogh Etten-Leur
Experience the beginnings of Van Gogh's artistic career in Etten-Leur! Discover his world in the Van Gogh Church with an impressive multimedia experience and travel back in time at the Sint Paulushofje Museum, where village life inspired him. One ticket, two unique locations, one story.
From city bustle to monastic silence
You cycle via the numbered junctions to Breda for a delicious lunch, for example in the hidden courtyard garden of IKEK, a green oasis in the heart of the vibrant city. In the afternoon, get back on your bike and head towards The Holy Triangle in Oosterhout. At Saint Catharinadal, you can sample the monastic wines and listen to contemplative stories, all while surrounded by a garden in which time appears to stand still. You spend the night at the lovely Heuvelsuites Hotel on the edge of the park. In the evening, relax at one of the many (heated) patios or restaurants on the Heuvel, you only have to walk downstairs.
Junctions: 89, 06, 50, 61, 02, 44, 10, 01, 53, 52, 73, 22, 34, 21, 35, 36, 75, 92, 91, 02, 04
Total: 26.38 km
‘Take a detour through the Oosterhoutse Slotpark, a charming city park that owes its name to the old castle that once stood here. You can still see the remains of the original moat.’
Day 2: Through Van Gogh National Park
In the morning, you cycle through leafy paths into the Van Gogh National Park, where the Loon and Drunen Dunes emerge between the pine trees. At Bosch & Duin, it is time to sit down and enjoy a relaxing lunch. Afterwards, follow the wheelchair-friendly walking trail to the vantage point for stunning views over the shifting sand dunes.
Junctions: 03, 05, 28, 27, 07, 26, 31, 55, 52, 11, 11, 32, 36
Spend the night in Oisterwijk
You continue your route to Oisterwijk. You are now in the heart of Brabant. Here, you will find the largest terrace in the Netherlands at De Lind. It is time for a well-deserved wine, while relaxing and watching people amble by. Tonight, you stay at Hotel Bent, in a quiet setting amid the natural greenery. That means one final bike ride today, for just under 10 minutes.
This small-scale boutique hotel is truly stunning and exudes sustainability, with comfortable rooms that combine a hint of glamour with a touch of art and design. In the restaurant, you can indulge in surprisingly tasty, entirely plant-based dishes. And while you are here, be sure to take an evening or even morning stroll through the enchanting Oisterwijkse Forests and Fens nature reserve right next to the hotel!
Junctions: 47, 44, 45, 91, 97, 15, 16, 59, 17
Total: 36.01 km
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Hotel Bent
Hotel Bent
In the middle of the Oisterwijk forests and fens, you will find what may well be the most sustainable hotel in the Netherlands, and certainly in North Brabant. Constructed for the most part out of recycled parts and waste streams, this romantic, animal-friendly hotel was built with zero emissions.
Day 3: Village squares, heaths and beyond the border - From Oisterwijk to Esbeek
After a delicious breakfast, you get back on your trusted two-wheeler, this time heading to Hilvarenbeek. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the famous progresgebak (traditional mocha meringue cake) at the Vrijthof. After stretching your legs, you continue your cycle ride to Esbeek, where you will find the celebrated fried eggs or another tasty treat at In Den Bockenreyder, a place that truly embodies the forests and charm of Brabant. Give your bike a rest and walk to D’n Flaestoren observation tower for panoramic views of Landgoed de Utrecht (country estate) which stretches all the way beyond the border.
Junctions: 19, 84, 18, 13, 32, 12, 10, 05, 05, 42, 42, 01, 48, 47, 32, 99, 98, 99, 32
‘Before cycling to your next destination, take one more cycle ride through Oisterwijk. Along the railway track, you will find the former KVL Leather Factory, now home to the bakery of Master Pastry Chef and Master Bread Baker Robèrt van Beckhoven. You literally look over the shoulders of the bakers as they work, and you won’t be able to leave the shop without picking up a delicious souvenir!’
Between border and silence
The second half of the route transports you along quiet country roads, green fields and woodland fringes, through the enclave village of Baarle-Nassau, where the border with Belgium actually weaves through houses and shops. Today’s final destination is Landgoed De Hoevens in Alphen, your home for the night. Nestled on this country estate, you will find B&B ‘t Bakhuisje tucked away between fields and tree-lined avenues. As evening falls, the sound of crickets fills the air, and time seems to stand still. There’s nothing left to do but enjoy the experience.
Junctions: 95, 45, 40, 51, 51, 85, 78, 97, 92, 93, 30, 12
Total: 49.01 km
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Enclavedorp Baarle-Hertog-Nassau
Enclavedorp Baarle-Hertog-Nassau
Baarle-Hertog-Nassau may possibly well be the most remarkable village in the world. The reason: in the village there are at least 30 pieces of Belgium and the Netherlands interwoven. Of the 64 enclaves in the world, almost half of them are located here!
Day 4: From vineyard to meadow - Return to Etten-Leur
The final stage takes you through the Chaam Forests towards Wijngaard Dassemus, with its organic, quirky and pure wines. It offers a completely different experience than Catharinadal and also has its own unique story. With delicious local wines in your bag, you cycle back into Breda via the Mastbos (forest). It leads you straight to the Ginnekenmarkt, one of the city’s most beloved squares, with plenty of charming restaurants for a delicious lunch. Afterwards, it is time to put your feet back on the pedals for the final stretch back to Etten-Leur. Your journey ends at Menmoerhoeve. Amid the bees, forgotten vegetables and food forest, you can feel the farming life all around you here. A glass of wine on the patio with a tasty treat is the perfect way to end four days of sampling the good life in North Brabant.
Junctions: 11, 66, 65, 95, 61, 96, 60, 49, 48, 75, 47, 93, 92, 44, 91, 43, 41, 36, 83, 05, 27, 15, 18, 17, 16, 87, 19, 89
Total: 42.13 km
‘If you are here in strawberry season, take a short ride from Breda to visit the Aardbeienterras in Rijsbergen, where you can pick your own strawberries or enjoy these “kings of summer” on the patio.’
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De Menmoerhoeve
De Menmoerhoeve
At De Menmoerhoeve campsite, restaurant and activity farm, you can enjoy everything the countryside has to offer. If there’s anywhere you can literally immerse yourself in the Brabant farming life, it’s at this recreational farm.
