Valkenswaard: Heathland Trails, Museums and Regional Traditions

De Malpie and the trails through Valkenswaard offer a trip that can combine landscapes with crafts, local history and fixed event dates. The heathland is home to wide-open spaces and numerous fens; museums tell stories of lithography, falconry and cigar-making. The market and Bloemencorso mark different points in the annual calendar. This lets you focus your trip on the outdoors, culture or a particular event date.

De Malpie and trails on foot or on the water

The De Malpie nature reserve encompasses extensive heathland with numerous large and small fens. There are areas of wind-blown sand at Groot Malpieven. East of the Dommel lie the Malpiebeemden, with small areas of grassland, swamp forests and marshes. De Malpie also has a bat cellar, home to brown long-eared bats and Natterer’s bats.

One specific hiking option is the Ommetje Malpie circular route: it is about 6.2 kilometres long and runs mostly along unpaved paths. The starting point is the Malpie car park; the route follows signposted hiking junctions marked with green-and-yellow signs. If you would rather put together a walk in separate stages, the De Groote Heide junction network lets you explore Valkenswaard and the surrounding area from junction to junction. This differs from the set circular route and offers another way to plan a trip.

Natuurpoort De Malpie is a starting point for hikes, cycling trips, canoeing and horseback excursions. There is also a natural canoe route on the Dommel. Water access and arrangements with tour operators may change; check before setting out. Valkenswaard also has a well-signposted network of riding and carriage routes. The Liberation Route Brabant passes through Valkenswaard and is intended for cyclists and hikers; signposting may change.

Poetry plaques also add a cultural dimension to two routes: a walking trail passes seven plaques, and a cycling route passes nineteen. Both are part of a project in honour of a poet from Valkenswaard. Check in advance whether the installations are in place along the routes.

Museums, crafts and local history

The Nederlands Steendrukmuseum focuses on the historical, artistic and technical aspects of lithography. Its collection includes lithographs, cartography, book illustrations and advertising posters. In introductory workshops, you can print under guidance on a traditional lithographic press; check availability before your trip. From Eindhoven railway station, you can reach the museum on bus routes 317 or 318 towards Valkenswaard. From the Valkenierstraat stop, continue on foot. Check bus routes and timetables before travelling.

The Valkerij Museum presents the history of falconry between 1650 and 1850. The Sigarenmakerij Museum explores the development of cigar-making in Valkenswaard from 1865 until its decline. Its collection includes craft tools, machines, photographs, packaging and a historic cigar shop. Groups can take part in a cigar-making workshop by arrangement; check availability in advance.

Visitors interested in historic vehicles can find a varied carriage collection at the Rijtuigenmuseum Valkenswaard. Nostalgic carriage rides with a coachman can, by arrangement, be complemented by a picnic, champagne reception, dinner or barbecue. Rides and extras depend on arrangements and availability.

The Birkenhof bunker was built from late 1942 to house an interception service. More than half of the building was designed as a bunker, with walls and a roof several metres thick. Another architectural example is the Weerderhuys, built in 1890 as a Dutch Reformed church in the Neo-Gothic style. A tiled tableau in the Oude Raadhuis depicts the last falcon hunt in Valkenswaard. The building is currently used by “de Kunstkeuken,” a gallery featuring various art objects; check its current use before visiting.

Bloemencorso, markets and local traditions

Every year on the third Sunday in September, Bloemencorso Valkenswaard winds through the centre of Valkenswaard with twelve large floats adorned with dahlias. Check the programme for the relevant year. In 2021, Valkenswaard’s corsoculture was included on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

There are different dates for visits to the markets: Valkenswaard’s weekly market takes place on Thursdays from 09:00 to 17:00 and has 75 stalls; check for seasonal exceptions. From May to September, the MolenMarkt at the mill in Borkel & Schaft offers food, drinks, local products and entertainment on the first Saturday of each month from 10:00 to 16:00. Check the current calendar in advance.

The brewing tradition also has a long history: beer has been brewed at Dommelsche Bierbrouwerij since 1744. Current visitor options may vary; check in advance if you are planning a visit.

Discover more destinations: Valkenswaard, Eersel, Nuenen, Gerwen En Nederwetten, Heeze-Leende, Grave, Deurne, Vught, Haaren.

For the broader travel overview: North Brabant.