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The Kempen: vast forests, heathlands, and expansive farmlands
Bladel
The Kempen
Monastery Garden at Postel Abbey
Cartier Heath

Bladel

Kempense hospitality shines throughout this cycling holiday. Bladel is situated in a beautiful region that stretches all the way into Belgium, featuring vast forests, heathlands, and open countryside. The cycling routes take you along delightful bike paths through a varied and scenic landscape. » read more about Bladel

  • Hotel De Tipmast
  • Hoogeloon, Hilvarenbeek, Postel, Bergeijk, Reusel
  • The Heart of the Kempen
Prices and dates
Prices and dates

Devout and adventurous living

Experience the warm hospitality of the Kempen from Bladel, Brabant. Cycling through vast forests, heathlands, and open fields, you’ll even cross the border. Like on the ride to the Abbey of Postel—such a pious atmosphere there. Yet this border area once saw thrilling chases. As you pedal, you can almost picture customs officers chasing butter smugglers, shouting, “In the name of the law…” Fortunately, there are no crow’s feet marks (see box) left on the roads today.

Soft drinks and abbey beer

During this trip, you’ll also cycle to Reusel, Bergeijk, and Hilvarenbeek. Here, you can visit the unique De Roos museum brewery, the National Liqueur and Soft Drink Museum, and Museum De Dorpsdokter. You’ll pass through Eersel, one of the beautiful ‘Eight Beatitudes.’ The routes also take you through the river valleys of the Beerze, the Dommel, and the Aa. Spot a terrace? “I’ll have an abbey beer, please.”

The KempenDinner Bladel cycling holidayThe Kempen

Abbey of Postel

Not long after crossing the border marker in the forest, the Abbey of Postel comes into view. This Belgian monastery has existed since 1138. During the French Revolution, the monks had to leave, but they have been living there again since 1847. And as it seems, they also receive visits from their female fellow believers. Armed with cameras, two nuns stroll across the monastery grounds. They pop into the shop where you can buy abbey beer—but they leave without a ‘six-pack.’ Well, you wouldn’t expect anything else.

Abbey of PostelAbbey of Postel

Koperteut and Crow’s Foot

In Luyksgestel, you’ll pass the white grain mill Den Deen. The name refers to the koperteuten: 18th-century traveling merchants dealing in copper goods who walked all the way to Denmark. In the village, there’s a statue of one such koperteut. You’ll also find a large crow’s foot—a device often made from two clipped and bent nails welded together in the middle. It’s a reminder of the times when smugglers secretly brought butter and cheese into the country. On their journeys through the forests, they scattered these crow’s feet to cause flat tires for their pursuers.

When are you going to take this trip?

Bladel

Prices and dates

Routes

This charming family-run hotel is peacefully located at the edge of the Kroonvense Heide forest, near Bladel. From this welcoming base, you’ll cycle through a varied border region filled with forests, heathlands, and stream valleys. You'll explore the Belgian Kempen and take a break at the Abbey of Postel, enjoying monastery cheese and abbey beer.

Bladel

Details

Included

  • 4 nights with half board
  • Maps and navigation app for your smartphone (GPS tracks for your own GPS device on request)

Excluded

  • Outward and return journeys
  • Travel insurance
  • Tourist tax
  • Rental bikes
  • Entrance fees, transfers, etc. that are not listed under “including”

  • Rental bike (excl. bike insurance): € 84,- p.p. 
  • E-bike (excl. bike insurance): € 136,50 p.p.
  • When booking a rental bike/E-bike, we ask for your height so that we can provide a suitable bike.
  • Bicycle Insurance: You can take out a separate bicycle insurance with Happy Cycling Holidays. A travel insurance often does not cover bicycle damage and/or theft.
  • Read more about rental bikes, helmets and insurances

  • Parking: free at the hotel
  • Dog: allowed on request, no extra charge
  • Bike storage: bikes can be securely stored in the hotel’s uncovered bicycle parking area.

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Bladel

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Bladel
Bladel
The Kempen
The Kempen
Monastery Garden at Postel Abbey
Monastery Garden at Postel Abbey

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Cycling holidays with dog
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