Beek En Donk

For a stay in Beek en Donk, cultural history, nature walks and cycling can be considered as different focal points. Kasteel Eyckenlust provides a historical landmark; several named trails offer different themes and lengths. When planning activities, you can compare a guided town walk with its approximate duration, nature trails of varying lengths and a cycling route with two distance options. This keeps your choice focused on specific route features.

Kasteel Eyckenlust and the landscape

At Kasteel Eyckenlust, the gatehouse is the oldest surviving part; it dates from around 1500. This approximate date refers to the gatehouse. The castle is situated on the Aa. The 61-hectare estate includes woodland, mostly planted with poplars, as well as several farms. The building, river and estate offer different points of interest for those interested in culture and landscape.

Nature trails on foot

The 4.6-kilometre Wandelen door de Blauwe Poort route starts in Beek en Donk at the Middenweg intersection. At the Blauwe Poort, a special water-powered bicycle allows water to be pumped from the reservoir into the watercourse. Alongside the walk, this offers a hands-on water-related activity.

The Vogelnatuurpad Groene Long was created for birdwatching and learning about birdlife. Along the trail, you can also experience trees, plants and the insect world. It passes through Beek en Donk’s “Groene Long,” past bodies of water, distinctive trees, bridges and benches; signs along the route provide information about nature. The route is 4 kilometres long, or 2.5 kilometres on the shorter option, and follows partially paved paths.

Another option is the 7.3-kilometre Wandeling in Beek en Donk. It leads through meadows and reed beds, past old trees, and follows the course of the Goorloop. The distance options therefore offer different lengths: 2.5 kilometres on the shorter Groene Long route, 4.6 kilometres on Wandelen door de Blauwe Poort and 7.3 kilometres on the Wandeling in Beek en Donk.

Guided walks and cycling

Heemkundekring De Lange Vonder has set up two guided walks past historic sites: one for the Beek district and one for Donk. Each of the two Gidswandeling Beek en Donk routes takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. They start at the Heemkamer at Parklaan 5 in Beek en Donk. The Gidswandeling is available as a guided group walk for 8 to 30 people. The routes’ focus on Beek and Donk offers a specific choice for anyone who wants to centre a historical walk on one of the two districts.

The Waterpoortroute offers a different scale for an outing: it is 30 or 39 kilometres long and runs through Laarbeek—including Aarle-Rixtel, Beek en Donk and Lieshout—as well as Helmond. In Laarbeek and Helmond, it passes waterways, wetlands, ponds, canals and ditches. There are two water refill points and an e-bike charging station along the route. It can also be walked; follow the Waterpoortroute signs.

Discover more destinations: Mariahout, Lieshout, Aarle Rixtel.

Go to the main travel overview: Laarbeek.