Bladel: Routes, Nature and Local History

In the Groote Beerze stream valley, landscapes and specific places to visit come together: a boardwalk and footbridges and cycling bridges are part of the recreational landscape. The “Dal van de Groote Beerze” management area covers 298 hectares and several sites in the valley between Bladel, Hapert, Casteren, Netersel and Westelbeers. A nature area connects wet and dry heathland with the stream valley.

Walking through landscapes and villages

A longer walking route connects the five villages in the municipality of Bladel. For a shorter look at the surroundings of Hapert, the “Ommetje Hapert” follows the Ecozone and passes through the countryside; along the way, views extend across fields. At high water levels, the Ecozone may be temporarily flooded. Plan this walk with water conditions in mind.

The 24-kilometre “Verbindende route 25-jarig jubileum gemeente Bladel” offers another way to take in the landscape. Its distance and the landscapes it passes through provide a different setting from a walk around Hapert.

Cycling routes with different focuses

The Bladel MTB route is 33.8 kilometres long, marked with green international MTB signs and rated as moderately difficult. Check its markings and rating locally before setting out. The route passes through several forest areas, including Cartierheide and Hapertse Heide.

Another themed option is “Bladel herinnert”: this 35-kilometre cycling route passes notable sites from the Second World War and starts at Visit Bladel. Comparing the two routes, the focus is not just on similar distances, but also on different themes: one is mountain biking with a stated difficulty rating, the other visits sites of remembrance. “Onze Boeren in Beeld,” meanwhile, is an app-based cycling tour through the municipalities of Bladel and Reusel-De Mierden. At various farms, QR codes provide audiovisual insights into local food production. Content and participating farms may change; check the information before your tour.

If you would like to include a viewpoint in your plans, the approximately 22-metre-high Mariatoren is located at exit 29 of the A67. You can reach it on foot or by bicycle from De Pan in Hapert. The tower also serves as an information point; the view takes in, among other things, Cartierheide, De Pan, the industrial estate, the motorway and the border with Belgium. Access conditions may change, so check before visiting.

Cultural heritage, from village history to remembrance

In Netersel, the H.H. Antonius en St. Brigidakerk has a stone baptismal font dating from the 15th century. Two of the church bells were cast by Jaspar Moer in 1529 and 1530, respectively. In Bladel, the Maggiblokje tells a different part of the village’s history: the labourer’s cottage dates from 1850, measures six metres wide, five metres deep and four metres high, and is now a municipal monument.

Northwest of Hoogeloon, in the municipality of Bladel, lies the Bronze Age burial mound Kabouterberg, also known as Zwarte berg and Zwartenberg. It is one of the largest burial mounds in the Netherlands and Belgium and is a stop on the “Kabouter Kyrië” cycling route. Kabouterkoning Kyrië is also a folk tale from Hoogeloon. The Kabouterkoning Kyrië adventure trail runs through the Koebosch: this free family trail is about 2.5 kilometres long.

The Romeinse Villa also offers a tangible glimpse of historic construction: the stone villa had underfloor heating and bathing facilities. Another form of remembrance can be found at the memorial wall in the Bladelse bos on the Neterselseweg from Bladel to Netersel. It commemorates the victims of the crashes of the “Picadilly Filly” and “Clay Pigeon” aircraft on 17 September 1944.

Mill, natural monument and local produce

Graanmolen Hapert is a round stone ground-sail mill and is considered the only mill of this type in the south of Noord-Brabant. It still grinds grain and maize. It opens to visitors when volunteer millers are operating it, so check in advance whether a visit is possible on your chosen date.

The Heksenboom, a monumental beech dating from around 1890, stands on Landgoed Ten Vorsel. Its name is linked to the legend of Zwarte Kaat. You can cycle and walk on the estate, which is described as having a long history of hospitality. If you are interested in regional food, you can plan a cheese-making workshop at Kaasboerderij De Ruurhoeve. The farm shop sells its own cheeses, as well as regional products, local beers and wines; the selection may change.

Plan your visits to suit you

Heemkunde Pladella Villa presents the past and present of the municipality of Bladel. Heemkamer Pladella Villa is open on Wednesdays and by appointment. As visiting arrangements may change, check in advance. The range of reasons to visit can help guide your hotel plans: cycling routes vary in length and theme, while some cultural sites have specific visiting conditions. Consider which destinations you would like to shape your days, and tailor your hotel search to your planned stay.

Discover more destinations: Hoogeloon, Netersel, Hapert, Bladel, Heusden, Lith, Bergeijk, Asten.

For the wider travel overview: North Brabant.