When cycling in Brabant you might think of lots of forests with the coolest MTB trails and gravel routes. But did you know that cycling in West Brabant is so wide and quiet that you sometimes feel like you are in North Groningen are? Or maybe you imagine yourself in Zeeland as soon as you cycle along the Hollands Diep. What is also possible is that the fortified towns remind you of South Holland. And how about the Italian influences on the village of Oudenbosch? One thing is certain: with this route, you will see a new side of this province.
Text: Nynke Cuperus, photos: Thomas Hester/Nynke Cuperus
Delicious start
It is Saturday morning around nine o'clock when we get on our bikes. The weather forecast does not seem too good, but on the other hand, it is a lovely morning. The sun is shining brightly and there is hardly anyone on the streets. When we are barely 15 kilometres from home, we cycle along a path along the river Mark. There are flowers on both sides and we have a wide view over the meadows and water. It is one of those typical paths where you think, "Why have I never discovered this before? So a lovely start to our bike ride!
The battle against the Spaniards in Klundert
We cycle in West Brabant past Zevenbergen and then on towards Klundert. This fortified town is part of the Zuiderwaterlinie. This water line ran from Sluis in Zeeland to Nijmegen and was a chain of forts, fortified towns, and the land around them. By using water as a means of defence, the Zuiderwaterlinie protected our country from attacks by the Spanish and later the French and Belgians. Klundert was located on the border of Holland and Brabant and was therefore in a strategic position. The town has a beautiful town hall, which is a great place for a small break. After Klundert, we are treated to a rather adventurous part of the route. We have to cross a gate and cycle right through a meadow. Whether you are allowed to cycle here, we still don't know afterwards, but fun it is!
Enjoy Zeeland
We continue our cycle tour towards Willemstad. This is a beautiful fortified town that is also part of the Zuiderwaterlinie. But before we get there, we cycle quite a few kilometres on a dike along the Hollands Diep. On one side, we look out over the pastures of Brabant and on the other side over South Holland. The water and the views here almost make it feel like being in Zeeland. And then we are in Willemstad! A cosy fortified town that attracts many walkers, water sports enthusiasts and cyclists. It's definitely worth taking some time here. For instance, enjoy a coffee on the terrace or explore the quaint streets. Unfortunately, we don't have that much time today. After a quick stop at the supermarket, we therefore cycle on quickly.
Fort Sabina
About five kilometres from Willemstad is Fort Sabina. Which, according to its website, is "West Brabant's best kept secret". Together, the fort and the nature surrounding it are about 12 hectares in size. That makes it a surprising place indeed and something you think 'this is where I must come back again'. We then cycle through an area that reminds us of North Groningen. It is vast, bare and quiet and place names like Stampersgat and Standdaarbuiten are quite unique as far as we are concerned. But you certainly do pedal well here!
'Minimalist' Oudenbosch
Sometimes you come to a place and think: why? Oudenbosch is such a place. It looks like a Brabant village like so many, but nothing could be further from the truth. From the barren and flat landscape of West Brabant, we suddenly see a huge dome looming on the horizon. This is because the village is known for the basilica of Sts Agatha and Barbara. Perhaps the dome looks familiar to you: as it is a copy of the famous St Peter's Basilica in Rome. It may be a bit smaller, but that is a relative term. At 81 metres long, 55 metres wide and 63 metres high, the basilica is still huge! Especially for its location. And another fact: Frans Bauer married his Mariska here in 2008.
Small chapel
If you think a village of 12,000 inhabitants like Oudenbosch has enough of a basilica this big, you are wrong. At the Kapel Saint Louis, too, you imagine yourself in Italy for a moment and is definitely worth stopping for a sip of water and a photo. You get to decide, right? Cycling in West Brabant gives new surprises every time.
After Oudenbosch, our cycling tour is almost over. It's another twenty kilometres or so to Breda. We come across a remarkable road that seems to run across a farmer's property and chuckle for a moment at a small text on an electricity building.
Cycling in West Brabant: the route
Our route of about 95 kilometres takes you via Prinsenbeek to the north-west of Breda. Through farmland, you cycle towards the fortified town of Klundert. Afterwards, you cycle quite a few kilometres along the Hollandsch Diep to the fortified town of Willemstad. Here you will find a nice little harbour and terraces. You then head south-east. Through villages like Dinteloord, Stampersgat and Standdaarbuiten, you get to know Brabant from a different side. The vastness and emptiness here almost makes you feel as if you are in North Groningen. You then continue your bike ride towards Oudenbosch, where a copy of the famous Saint Peter's Basilica in Vatican City awaits you. After that, it's about 20 kilometres to Breda.
Good to know
- This bike ride goes through many meadows. So be smart and check how the wind is in advance.
- There are a few unpaved sections in this route. You can easily bypass these. Clicking on 'surfaces' in Komoot will show you where this is.
- At Fort Sabina just after Willemstad you will find brasserie De Chatterbox. Unfortunately, we did not have time to stop here, but it is a unique location for a drink or a bite to eat.
