Discover Vorstenbosch

Vorstenbosch offers a range of themes to consider when planning your trip: an IVN hiking route at Bedaf and the Leijgraaf, the landscape history of the Bedaf Dunes, architecture and milling history, and alpaca activities. When choosing a destination for your stay, you can easily distinguish between these themes: the hike is clearly defined, the historical references include specific construction and founding dates, and at Alpaca Vorstenbosch the focus is on a children’s treasure hunt and a planned hike in the De Maashorst nature reserve.

Hiking at Bedaf and the Leijgraaf

The 6.0 km IVN hiking route runs through Vorstenbosch along Bedaf and the Leijgraaf. Its length gives your hiking plans a concrete framework. The Bedaf Dunes near Vorstenbosch, which the route passes, were formed through the cultivation of heathland. This gives the route a distinct connection to the history of the landscape, in addition to its length: the dunes’ formation is linked to the use of the heathland. Check the latest route information before setting out, as trail conditions can change.

Architecture and milling history

The Sint Lambertuskerk in Vorstenbosch was built in 1933 to a design by architect H.C. van de Leur. Its architecture is in the style of the Benedictine monk Dom Paul Bellot. These details relate to different aspects of the building: van de Leur to its design, and Bellot to its architectural style. The church can therefore be described both by when it was built and by a specific architectural classification.

Windlust can also be understood through several historical milestones. The mill was built in 1860 as a ground-sail mill. In front of it stands the bronze sculpture group D'n Vorstenbossche Mulder, adding a cultural reference connected with milling. On 1 March 2011, Windlust was able to mill again after a new pair of millstones had been installed and adjusted. While 1860 identifies the year of construction and the mill type, the date in 2011 describes a later condition following work on the millstones.

The Kloosterkapel Vorstenbosch was founded in 1938 by the Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy of Ronse in Belgium. This founding connection differs from the construction history of the Sint Lambertuskerk and the technical history of Windlust: the focus here is on a named congregation and its place of origin. This adds a distinct institutional context to the history of architecture and milling.

Alpaca activities

Alpaca Vorstenbosch offers children an Alpaca-Chilli treasure hunt in which they have to crack the codes on nine boxes. The puzzle and codes are the focus of this activity. You can also plan an alpaca hike in the forests of the De Maashorst nature reserve. Here, the focus is on hiking with alpacas in the named forest area. The two options are therefore clearly distinct: the treasure hunt is an activity for children, while the other option can be planned as a hike.

When planning your trip, you can choose between different themes: a 6.0 km route connected to the landscape around Bedaf, specific historical references to the church, mill and chapel, or the activities offered by Alpaca Vorstenbosch.

Discover more destinations: Heeswijk-Dinther, Nistelrode, Heesch.

Go to the main travel overview: Bernheze.