Part of Netherlands
North Brabant is made up of sand, meadows and forests, and is one of the best gravel provinces in the Netherlands. Think of the sand dunes of the Loonse and Drunense Dunes, the ponds around Oisterwijk, and the vast heathlands of the Kempen.
Why cycle in Noord-Brabant?
- The Loonse and Drunense Dunes: one of the largest sand dunes in Western Europe.
- The Kempen: meadows, forests and many unpaved roads around Eindhoven and Valkenswaard.
- The Biesbosch: a freshwater tidal area with creeks and willows forests.
- The Brabant Wall near Bergen op Zoom: one of the few high-altitude areas in the west.
- And everywhere a terrace for coffee or a Brabant beer.
Liberation Divide: crossing Brabant in two days
In the autumn of 1944 Brabant was liberated, from Eindhoven in September to Bergen op Zoom at the end of October. The Liberation Divide follows that story across the province: 363 kilometers of gravel from Bergen op Zoom in the west to Overloon in the east, where one of the heaviest tank battles of the Netherlands was fought and now houses the War Museum.
Along the way, you’ll experience everything that makes Brabant so great for gravel riders: the forests and meadows of West Brabant, the sandy paths around Tilburg, the Kempen and the Peel region. You can do it in two days with an overnight stay near Tilburg, or split it over three quieter days. There are hardly any elevation changes, but because of the many unpaved roads, it’s not a walk: wide tires (40 mm or more) are not an unnecessary luxury, especially after a rainy week.
Multi-day adventure · Gravel
Liberation Divide
- 2days
- 363km
- 364altimeters
- 182km per day
- 1
Day 1 · 171.1 km · 216 hmLiberation Divide – Day 1: WestFrom Van Bergen op Zoom through the forests and meadows of West Brabant to the south of Tilburg: 171 km of gravel through the landscape where the liberation of Brabant began in the autumn of 1944.Map, profile & GPX from day 1 → - 2
Day 2 · 192 km · 148 hmLiberation Divide – day 2: EastFrom the south of Tilburg through the Kempen and the Peel to Overloon, with the War Museum as the finish: 192 km of sandy paths, forest and heath through East Brabant.Map, profile & GPX of day 2 →
A day of gravel: a tour of Eindhoven
Not two days? The gravel round from Eindhoven (99 km) takes you within a few kilometers on the sandy paths, through the forests and over the heaths of the Kempen. Flat and varied terrain, and easily accessible by train.
Operation Pheasant: five gravel routes over the tracks of the liberators
Eighty years after the liberation of Brabant, together with Brabant Herinnert we created five gravel routes from Bergen op Zoom, Breda, Den Bosch, Eindhoven and Overloon. Each route follows the tracks of the liberators of Operation Fazant, in October 1944.
Route collection · Gravel
Operation Pheasant: five gravel routes
- 5routes
- 74–99km per ride
- 153max. altitude meters
- 450km in total
- 1
Route 1 · 87.8 km · 98 hmOperation Pheasant: Den BoschGravel over the tracks of the liberators, from Den Bosch.Map, profile & GPX of route 1 → - 2
Route 2 · 95.2 km · 99 hmOperation Falcon: BredaGravel over the tracks of the liberators, from Breda.Map, profile & GPX of route 2 → - 3
Route 3 · 73.7 km · 153 hmOperation Pheasant: Bergen op ZoomGravel over the tracks of the liberators, from Bergen op Zoom.Map, profile & GPX of route 3 → - 4
Route 4 · 99.2 km · 95 hmGravel round Eindhoven (99 km)Gravel over the tracks of the liberators, from Eindhoven.Map, profile & GPX of route 4 → - 5
Route 5 · 93.7 km · 86 hmOperation Pheasant: OverloonGravel over the tracks of the liberators, from Overloon.Map, profile & GPX of route 5 →
When are you leaving?
From March to October. After dry periods, the sand can be very loose; after rain, it rides better.
How do you get there?
By train to Eindhoven, Den Bosch, Tilburg or Breda, or by car in about an hour. Eindhoven also has an airport.
This is how we calculate: We calculate distances and travel times starting from Utrecht. Our flights always depart from Schiphol, Rotterdam The Hague Airport or Eindhoven Airport. Want to know how to travel from your place of residence the best way? Let us know, We are happy to help you. After all, we built this site together.
Are you flying? Read our guide Flying with your bike: Which airline, what the cost is and how to pack your bike.
Events in North Brabant
2026Stratumse Heidetocht GravelEindhoven, Netherlands · 90, 70 kmgravel25 Oct
2026Gravels through the KempenPoederlee, Belgium · 75 kmgravel1 Nov
2026Bikse Forest and Heidetocht (gravel)Hilvarenbeek, Netherlands · 100, 65 kmgravel1 Nov
2026The Most Beautiful Gravel in BrabantNistelrode, Netherlands · 72 kmgravel1 Nov
2026Northern gravel border tourMinderhout, Belgium · 100, 70 kmgravel7 November
2026TC DSE GravelrideEtten-Leur, Netherlands · 85, 55 kmgravel8 November
2026GRAVEL TOURBrecht, Belgium · 87, 76, 55 kmgravel8 November
2026VosGravelVosselaar, Belgium · 71, 56 kmgravel
