Gnome King Kyrië
Gnomes in Kempen
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Long long ago, there was a mysterious population of gnomes who lived in Kempen. These tiny creatures were good to humans and animals alike, but they never showed themselves to humans. It was only at night, when it was dark, that they would appear and would help the people of Kempen with their demanding work. Carpentry, baking, ploughing, nothing was too much for the gnomes. So long as they were left alone. If they weren’t, there would be a price to pay! Follow in the footsteps of the Kempen gnomes, but be warned...
Every evening, as soon as the clock struck ten and the people of Kempen p…
Long long ago, there was a mysterious population of gnomes who lived in Kempen. These tiny creatures were good to humans and animals alike, but they never showed themselves to humans. It was only at night, when it was dark, that they would appear and would help the people of Kempen with their demanding work. Carpentry, baking, ploughing, nothing was too much for the gnomes. So long as they were left alone. If they weren’t, there would be a price to pay! Follow in the footsteps of the Kempen gnomes, but be warned...
Every evening, as soon as the clock struck ten and the people of Kempen put out their oil lamps, the gnomes would come outside. They knocked on the windows and doors. ‘Everyone to bed!’ And they did mountains of work. They helped the local cheese maker with his cheese recipes and the miller with milling local Kempen grain. And, when the sun began to rise, the gnomes would go back home again. Back to ‘Gnome Mountain’ to sleep. Or to Landgoed Ten Vorsel, to enjoy the beauty of nature.
For years, Kempen was peaceful and harmonious. The gnomes loved their secluded life and the people of Kempen were grateful for their help. That was, until one day, a local farmer let curiosity get the better of him. ‘Who does all that work every night?’ He decided that he would stay up all night and find out - in secret.
Midnight came and the farmer crept out of bed. In his barn, he could hear the sound of tiny footsteps, running back and forth. He quietly peeked through the keyhole. But, before he had the chance to see anything, he got a key in his eye. ‘Ouch!’ cried the farmer in alarm. He was partially blinded. And the gnomes? They resolved never to help the farmer again.
Disappointed, the gnomes left, back to their village, with the palace of Gnome King Kyrië at its heart - an ancient gnome tree. Sadly, the tree had been sick for some time and so Kyrië decided to go in search of herbs that could heal the tree. Anything that would make his tree healthy again.
The farmer, meanwhile, was in a state of despair. ‘I was so used to having help from the gnomes. I don’t know how I’ll keep my farm going.’ To put food on the table, the farmer decided to go hunting. He grabbed his things and walked to the surrounding heaths (4), (5).
Amongst the tall grass, he spotted something moving. ‘Wow, a black grouse!’ The farmer took aim and fired. But, when he got closer, he noticed that he had actually hit something else. It was Gnome King Kyrië! Now the farmer knew for certain that gnomes existed. But, he also knew of the revenge that gnomes could take. He decided to flee. ‘I will never come back here again!’
That evening, the gnomes noticed that their king had disappeared. ‘We need to spread the news quickly.’ They left pancakes and goodies everywhere. As soon as the people of Kempen would find one of these goodies, they’d hear a hushed whisper, ‘go home and tell everyone that Gnome King Kyrië has disappeared!’ The news spread quickly around Kempen.
Shout as loud as you possibly can, ‘Gnome King Kyrië has disappeared!’ Who knows? Maybe you’ll get some goodies too.
To their sorrow, the gnomes never found their king. A few days later, the people of Kempen noticed a large cloud of dust moving over the heath. And with that, the gnomes disappeared. Nobody has ever found out where they went. As a memento, the gnomes left a statue of Gnome King Kyrië behind to remind the people of Kempen that, just like the gnomes, they must be good, friendly and helpful. Only then will the gnomes return. Or perhaps they already have? Take a look at the play areas that the gnomes are so fond of. You might just see one.
Hop off your bicycle and discover…
Make sure to hop off your bicycle and discover the beauty that’s around you. The bustling and vibrant centre of Bladel is full of restaurants, terraces and shops waiting to welcome you with open arms. Discover the beautiful countryside and farms that you’ll have ridden through on your bicycle. Enjoy the peace and quiet around you! For more information, please visit visitbladel.nl. The website provides a programme of local events, places you can go for a drink and bite to eat, accommodation options and a range of tips for a great day out in Bladel and the surrounding area.
Bicycle junctions
Follow the route from junction to junction using the signs to help you navigate. Just cycle from number to number. You can find the numbers of the junctions on the signs at the side of the route. Arrows point you towards your chosen number.
Reporting routes
If you find something wrong with the signage or the route you can report it via the Brabant bicycle junction route reporting point.
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Signposting
Simply follow the signs and cycle along the route from one numbered junction to the next.
Signposting
Simply follow the signs and cycle along the route from one numbered junction to the next.
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Hotline routes
Hotline routesIf there is something wrong on the route, report it here.
Sights on this route
Recreation Park De Achterste Hoef
If you’re looking for a care-free holiday, bring your family to this comfortable Brabant family campsite. There’s a variety of activities to choose from on the site itself, plus Outdoor Park Reusel no more than a few minutes away, and the Beekse Bergen safari park barely a half hour.
Starting point:
Troprijt 105531 NA Bladel
Navigate to starting point
Starting point:
Ten Vorsel 15531 ND Bladel
De Tipmast
Family Hotel De Tipmast was completely renovated a number of years ago and is situated in the middle of Bladel's countryside, right next to a number of walking and cycling routes.
Starting point:
Tipmast 48A5531 NG Bladel
Starting point:
Egyptischedijk 155531 NE Bladel
Kroonvense Heide
An area of 508 ha forest.
Starting point:
Ten Vorsel 45531 ND Bladel
Taverne d’n Ouwe Brandtoren
The Ouwe Brandtoren (Old Fire Tower) tavern, the beating heart of the Brandtoren Nature Gateway, is the perfect starting point for a walking, cycling, mountain biking or horse riding trip on the Peelse Heide heathland.
Starting point:
Taverne d'n Ouwe BrandtorenBurgemeester Willekenslaan 2
5541NA Reusel
Taverne d’n Ouwe Brandtoren
Taverne d’n Ouwe Brandtoren
Taverne d'n Ouwe Brandtoren
Burgemeester Willekenslaan 2
5541NA Reusel
TerSpegelt Recreation Park
TerSpegelt Recreation Park is a five-star family campsite in Brabant. Holidaypark TerSpegelt is named 'ANWB TopCamping 2019', which makes it one of the leading campsites in Europe.
Starting point:
Postelseweg 885521 RD Eersel
Nature gate TerSpegelt
Nature gate TerSpegelt is the starting point to discover the beautiful Brabant Kempen.
Starting point:
Postelseweg 885521 RD Eersel
Gnome trail
Did you know that gnomes live nearby?
Starting point:
Postelseweg 885521RD Eersel
Recreation Park De Achterste Hoef
If you’re looking for a care-free holiday, bring your family to this comfortable Brabant family campsite. There’s a variety of activities to choose from on the site itself, plus Outdoor Park Reusel no more than a few minutes away, and the Beekse Bergen safari park barely a half hour.
Starting point:
Troprijt 105531 NA Bladel
Navigate to endpoint
Story of the route
Recreation Park De Achterste Hoef
If you’re looking for a care-free holiday, bring your family to this comfortable Brabant family campsite. There’s a variety of activities to choose from on the site itself, plus Outdoor Park Reusel no more than a few minutes away, and the Beekse Bergen safari park barely a half hour.
Starting point:
Troprijt 105531 NA Bladel
Navigate to starting point
- Landgoed Ten Vorsel
Hoeve Ten Vorsel has a rich history of hospitality. Since it was opened as group accommodation in 1971, many families, schools and clubs have made their way to Bladel to enjoy the outstanding facilities. - Speelboerderij De Hooiberg
A park farm in the heart of the Kempen countryside. Located between meadows and forests in an old farmhouse, the farm boasts a play paradise for children up to ten years of age. - Speelbos ’t Slingerpedje
The play forest is a public area and meeting place for children and families. It forms a link between education, experience and exercise and with its multifaceted nature, has everything needed to stimulate the imagination. Facilities include huts that you can build yourself, a water pump with pool, climbing trees, swinging rope and rope bridge. Above all, it’s a place to experience, as well as create. - Kroonvense Heide
Kroonvense Heide, together with De Pals, is an area of 508 ha to the south of Bladel, consisting mostly of coniferous forest. It was planted at the beginning of the twentieth century on former heathland, which has partly been converted to agricultural land and partly to productive forest. - Cartierheide
Cartierheide is a nature reserve forming part of the larger De Kempen nature reserve. The area covers 172 ha and is located 3 km from the Belgian border. - Gnome trail
Did you know that gnomes live nearby? Or, at least, that’s what we think. You see their tracks everywhere. Little footprints in the sand, wheel tracks from wheelbarrows, flattened grass from an afternoon nap. It’s true! Gnomes are extremely diligent, and helpful and busy all day long. Doing what? Take the gnome trail and find out for yourself! Don’t forget to look for the tracks along the way. With a little luck, you might even meet one! - Molen Hapert
The corn mill at Hapert is a nameless ‘grondzeiler’, or stone ground sail mill, that was probably built in 1896. It is located on Molenstraat, on the edge of the built-up area of the Dutch village of Hapert. It functioned and still functions as a corn mill. - Statue of Gnome King Kyrië
Gnome King Kyrië is a character who appears in various legends and is a statue of the same name made by Wim Gubbels in 1985. The statue is located on Valensplein in the centre of Hoogeloon. According to the stories of the gnomes, this is also the spot at which the Gnome King is said to be buried. - Hoogeloon Gnome Forest
Enjoy the beautiful surroundings of the Koebosch in Hoogeloon with your children and grandchildren. Follow the Gnome King Kyrië Adventure Trail to make it even more enjoyable. The trail, which is around 2.5 km long, can be enjoyed free of charge. Gnome King Kyrië is a part of Hoogeloon folklore. According to the tales, Gnome King Kyrië was the leader of the gnomes who lived in Kempen. At night, the gnomes would go out and help the farmers and homes in the area. Along the trail you will pass adventure points where children can enjoy games and activities relating to Gnome King Kyrië and nature. Fun for the whole family. - King Kyrië Mountain Hoogeloon
The Black Mountain, Zwartenberg or Kabouterberg (Gnome Mountain) is a burial mound on Groenstraat, northwest of Hoogeloon in Bladel. It is one of the largest bronze age burial mounds in the Netherlands and Belgium. Could the gnomes have slept there after the bronze age?
Recreation Park De Achterste Hoef
If you’re looking for a care-free holiday, bring your family to this comfortable Brabant family campsite. There’s a variety of activities to choose from on the site itself, plus Outdoor Park Reusel no more than a few minutes away, and the Beekse Bergen safari park barely a half hour.
Starting point:
Troprijt 105531 NA Bladel
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