From heathland to grassland

Story of the route

• Noordlus
  On this route, heathlands, river valleys and marshes alternate with stately avenues, wide sandy paths and blooming agricultural businesses. See how the hard work by the first farmers have turned this Brabant region into a prosperous area. Take your time on this stunning route through the versatile Kempen region where natural beauty, entrepreneurism and culinary delights go hand in hand. There are plenty of reasons to get off your bike and get acquainted with the pasture pigs in their sod house, the charming restaurants with regional menus or delicious ice cream made from fresh pasture milk.

• De Utrecht Estate | Art, walking, countryside & museum in one
  De Utrecht Estate was named after the life insurance company ‘De Utrecht’ that started a major reclamation project as a cash investment in 1898. De Utrecht Estate shows how the wild heathland was transformed into fertile agricultural land at the end of the 19th century. The estate is rare due to the scale of the reclamation and size of the estate. De Utrecht incudes a production forest of pinewood, the marshes of Flaes and Goor with heathlands, the Reusel stream valley, the bog myrtle marsh the Broekeling with the Hoogeindsche Beek (stream), and the old, reclaimed sites of Dun and Tulder with agricultural enclaves. The forest and agricultural areas have been joined into one through a connected network of robust lanes and many sandy paths. Experience the varied landscapes and unparalleled wealth of plants and animals.

• Herberg In den Bockenreyder
  Herberg In den Bockenreyder is in a unique location on De Utrecht Estate, close to the fens of De Flaes and ’t Goor. The extremely wooded area is ideal for cycling, walking or horse-riding, if you brought your horse with you. In this pub that has a large terrace and open fireplace, sand is sprinkled on the floor just like in the old days.

  The name ‘In den Bockenreyder’ originates from part of this region’s history. Bokkenrijders (Buckriders) were ghostly criminal figures from times gone by who rode through the moors at night on goats and left a trail of plundering behind them. Because the Bokkenrijders struck at various places situated far apart and the speed with which they moved around, people thought it was the work of the devil that gave these gangs their power to fly through the air on goats. There are still many unanswered questions surrounding the Bokkenrijders.

• WIJN&ZO
  Hoeve Hesselmans is a family business on the Dunsedijk in Esbeek; the dike named after the hamlet of ‘Dun’ where Herberg Den Bockenreyder is located. The vineyard is in the Lêêg Veld (Low Field) which also lies slightly lower than the bar. Take the opportunity to have a look round the vineyard, the gate is open!
  Since 2013, Souvignier Gris vines have stood on the Lêêg Veld. The cool winter and warm summer of 2018 enabled the grapes to develop to the full. The first Souvignier Gris was bottled from the grapes harvested in 2018. It has become a lovely, fresh and elegant Esbeek wine. It is suitable as an aperitif but also delicious with light dishes. If you want to taste it, you can buy the wine by the bottle in Café Schuttershof in Esbeek.

• Voor Anker
  Discover, enjoy and sample the pure outdoor life
  Ontmoetingscentrum Voor Anker (meeting centre) forms the multifunctional ‘gateway’ to the Wellenseind Estate. Visitors will find all they need here to make a lovely walk complete. There are charming spots to sit down both inside as well as outside where you can chat about your day and satisfy your hunger or thirst. The shop offers a wonderful selection of regional produce, partly originating from our own estate. If you visit us with a large group and you desire a bit more privacy, by appointment you can use one of our other rooms. From the upper floor in particular, the view over the landscape is breath-taking.
  The building’s architecture is modern but thanks to the construction with a lot of wood, it encapsulates the warm atmosphere of the past. It is – completely in line with our sustainable principles – completely CO2 neutral.

• Vrijthof
  Most beautiful village centre in the Netherlands
  Vrijthof in Hilvarenbeek, fringed with trees and terraces, is the bustling heart of the village. With the many charming bars and restaurants, it forms a lovely resting point for hikers and cyclists. In the middle of De Vrijthof there is a kiosk from 1925 with the exceptional and impressive Gebodenlinde (common lime) alongside, which was planted in 1676. Justice was dealt out under this tree for many years. The Vrijthof is full of atmosphere and lively and was justifiably called the most beautiful village centre of the Netherlands by columnist Martin Bril.

• Local beers and wines
  Taste Kempen brews
  Hilvarenbeek is a genuinely agreeable Brabant municipality. They brew local beers here and you will find several vineyards where grapes are grown to make good wines.
  Bierbrouwerij De Roos
  At Bierbrouwerij De Roos they brew good beers, and you can discover how the art of beer brewing took place in the past. The brewery and the museum have a tasting room and their own hop field. While visiting, sample a real Bikse Tripel or a Rooie Fik!
  Wijngaard De Colonies
  Wijngaard De Colonies is in the municipality of Hilvarenbeek, in the middle of the natural landscape and estates, Wil Hendrikx has been managing the vineyard organically since 2012, without any chemical pesticides. For groups, he organises guided tours and tastings sessions by appointment. During a tour, you walk through the vineyards and they explain the various tasks. The guided tour ends with a tasting session with cheese and ham because then the character of the wine comes even better to the fore.
  Biests Bier Collectief
  Wedged between De Roos (Hilvarenbeek), ReuZ (Moergestel) and La Trappe (Berkel-Enschot) breweries, is the location of the small village of Biest-Houtakker. It therefore makes perfect sense that you will find delicious beers here. They are brewed by the Biests Bier Collectief; a group of about 60 village residents who develop beers together that suit the village. The Witten Huib is a fresh, herby wheat beer, TOON IX a grand cru with warm flavours of caramel and honey. And there is more in store because they will soon be introducing a Russian Imperial Stout.
  Besides the beers, the village also has its own village liqueur: 't Biests Regentje (pronounced as Ruh-gent-juh). The liqueur is named after the administrators of the common lands (regents) that were gifted to the community in the 14th century by John II, Duke of Brabant. With flavours such as vanilla, cinnamon and caramel, this liqueur is not only tasty to drink but also highly suitable for baking or cooking.

• Auberge de Hilver 

Auberge de Hilver is an official Brabants Fietscafé; a Brabant Bicycle Café. In these bicycle cafés, cyclists are made to feel especially welcome! You can stop by for a delicious bite to eat or a refreshing drink, and make use of facilities such as a repair kit, bicycle pump and e-bike charging station. These bicycle cafés can be recognised by the hexagonal 'Brabants Fietscafé' sticker on the window.

• D’n Flaestoren
  A unique view of the region
  In De Utrecht Estate there is an impressive watchtower. Eight trees from the estate itself, each about 25 meters long and weighing 3,000 kg, have been combined with thin steel columns creating an open structure. With its alternating steps and landings, is an easy walkable route that leads to the watchtower at 22 metres altitude.
  At the top and from each landing on your way up, you have a stunning view over the non-accessible part of the De Flaes and Het Goorven natural landscape and the surrounding forests. From here, you can see all the way to Belgium.

• Ontmoetingscentrum Voor Anker
  Ontmoetingscentrum Voor Anker (meeting centre) forms the multifunctional ‘gateway’ to the Wellenseind Estate. Visitors will find all they need here to make a lovely walk complete. There are charming spots to sit down both inside as well as outside where you can chat about your day and satisfy your hunger or thirst. The shop offers a wonderful selection of regional produce, partly originating from our own estate. If you visit us with a large group and you desire a bit more privacy, by appointment you can use one of our other rooms. From the upper floor in particular, the view over the landscape is breath-taking.
  The building’s architecture is modern but thanks to the construction with a lot of wood, it encapsulates the warm atmosphere of the past. It is – completely in line with our sustainable principles – completely CO2 neutral.