Discover the most scenic cycling routes in Kempen, Brabant

The Kempen region, located near the Belgian border in southern Brabant, is a place full of history and expansive nature. To truly get to know the area, the best way is to explore it by foot or bike. I discovered the Brabantse Kempen through two of the four food routes running through the region: Grenzeloos Genieten (34 kilometers) and Van Heide naar Weide (28 kilometers). The Grenzeloos Genieten route takes you along green fields, farms, and forests in a rural landscape near the Belgian border. You can decide for yourself which food stops to include along the way. Our favorite stops? The newly opened Landgoed Wellenseind, where you can enjoy a lovely walk, lunch, and dinner, IJsboerderij Fabor with ice cream made from fresh milk, and restaurant De Buitenman (mentioned below). Van Heide naar Weide, as the name suggests, leads you through stunning heathlands, interspersed with marshes, valleys, and agricultural farms. Be sure to stop at charming restaurants like Den Bockenreyder, climb the Flaestoren, and sample local drinks at WIJN & ZO and De Roos Brewery.

Cycling routes in the Brabantse Kempen

These cycling routes are part of the 15 food routes developed by VisitBrabant in 2019. The routes are easy to navigate, thanks to a well-established network of junctions. The official junction system in Brabant is one of the best in Europe, and you can definitely feel it. We ride along sheltered bike paths, through heathlands, meadows, and forests. To recharge, we stop at farm shops, centuries-old cafes, and cozy restaurants to savor regional products, from a bio cheese farm to a tavern in an old firework tower. As many stops are shared by both routes, I’m highlighting my favorite food spots along the routes so you can choose which ones you absolutely don’t want to miss!

Oma Neeske

We begin both of our routes at Oma Neeske, a charming spot with antique-decorated caravans where we pick up our (electric) bikes. Here, you can rent various bikes, stop for tea or coffee along the way, and browse unique items from bygone eras, all for sale. It’s just a short bike ride from the starting points of our routes, making it the perfect starting point.

Organic Cheese Farm & Farm Shop De Hooiberg

At the cozy farm shop De Hooiberg, everyone in the area buys their cheese, made from fresh (raw) cow’s milk. We get it served at breakfast in our B&B. Be sure to try their stinging nettle cheese and the famous “Zwarte-Kaatse” cheese, named after a local witch legend. This stop is easily accessible on both routes.

Taverne d’n Ouwe Brandtoren

Located in the forests between Reusel and Postel, Taverne d’n Ouwe Brandtoren is a former firework worker's home with a fire tower next door and a Brabantian bike cafe. A perfect place to recharge our electric bikes and relax on the large sunny terrace. Children can have fun on the bouncy castle in the playground, while adults enjoy one of 70 craft beers. We indulged in tasty burgers made with Hereford beef. It’s also nice that they have many non-alcoholic beer options for those who are pregnant or prefer not to drink alcohol. Tip: Climb the 26-meter cube-shaped fire tower in the adjacent Outdoorpark Reusel and wander through the beautiful nearby bee garden.

Ice cream farm Fabor

After lunch at D’n Ouwe Brandtoren, we cycle a little further along a winding forest path to Fabor: an ice farm where ice cream is made fresh from daily meadow milk. And you can really taste the difference! I had a cone with salted caramel ice cream, which I enjoyed while gazing over the vast meadows. It’s absolutely delicious.

The Hollandershoeve

Traveling with children? Be sure to stop by the pancake restaurant and guesthouse Hollandershoeve, a lovely spot with a large outdoor play area and an expansive petting farm with llamas, goats, and pigs. From the petting farm, you can walk into the corn maze, where you and your kids can embark on a scavenger hunt. Spend an hour and a half navigating a cornfield in search of the maze’s exit.

The Outsider ("De Buitenman")

Just before the end of the Grenzeloos Genieten route – but also well-suited to combine with the other route – lies the farm estate De Buitenman: a stop you won’t want to miss! Here, you can stay overnight on the farm and enjoy a cozy lunch and dinner in the 400-year-old renovated farmhouse or in the charming garden surrounded by meadows. A perfect place to savor the Brabantse Kempen: De Buitenman serves only regional dishes made from fresh organic products from the farm itself or from elsewhere in the Kempen. After a long day of cycling, we enjoy a hearty dinner, including a snack platter, fresh tomato soup, goat cheese quiche, and special craft beers from the region.

Tip: Order the surprise tasting dessert or try a slice of homemade apple pie, which was crowned the best in the Netherlands during an apple pie contest!

Wellenseind Estate

This newly opened estate is the official starting and ending point of the Van Heide naar Weide route, but it’s also conveniently located near the other food route. The stylish meeting center and restaurant Voor Anker is beautifully situated, surrounded by forests, meadows with cows and sheep, and colorful flower gardens that remind me of the style of garden architect Piet Oudolf. We settle on the terrace for a slice of cake, then take a walk through the estate.

There are three marked walking routes ranging from 2.6 to 5.3 kilometers, through creek forests and meadows, where you can encounter the Brandrode cattle, Dutch land goats, and sheep herds. Be sure to bring mosquito spray, as some parts of the route are home to large swarms of mosquitoes. After the walk, we return to the terrace for a lunch featuring culinary regional products, prepared by a chef with experience in a Michelin restaurant. And you can taste the difference! It’s a lovely spot to enjoy the pure Brabantian countryside!

In den Bockenreyder

Another special lunch spot, located in the heart of the heathlands and forests of Landgoed De Utrecht, near Wellenseind, is In den Bockenreyder. This tavern is one of the oldest cafes in Brabant. Here, you can enjoy world-famous uitsmijters (Dutch fried egg dishes), and you’ll have to do your best to understand the menu, as everything is written in the (old) Brabantian dialect.

A must-visit according to the locals, and you can see why – the cozy terrace is always full. While you’re there, cycle a bit further to the 22-meter-high Flaestoren, where you can enjoy views of the nature reserve De Flaes, the Goorven, and the surrounding forests. Don’t forget to bring some coins if you want to climb the tower, as you’ll need them to enter.

Hiking Tip: The Andreas Schotel Route

Had enough cycling and want to explore on foot? The Kempen offers plenty of beautiful walking routes. One to try, near the cycling routes, is the Andreas Schotel walking route, which starts in Esbeek. Follow in the footsteps of the artist on a 3 or 10-kilometer walk past several works of art on Landgoed De Utrecht.

Special stays in the Kempen

The village of Lage Mierde is a great central location for your overnight stays during your cycling adventures in the Kempen. We stayed in the historic building of B&B De Pastorie: a former rectory that has been fully renovated but still retains many authentic details. From our luxuriously furnished room, we have a view of the village church. In the morning, enjoy a hearty breakfast with local treats and regional products (like cheese from De Hooiberg) in the breakfast room or, if the weather’s nice, in the beautiful garden.

Tip: Combine one or more food routes with a visit to Tilburg, where you can explore the creative Spoorzone or enjoy great food in the largest harbor of Brabant: Piushaven.

This trip was made possible in collaboration with VisitBrabant. Want to explore Brabant on your own? Discover all 15 food routes in the province and plan your adventure here.