Kempen and Kampina round from Vessem

Last update: 2-Jan-2020. Due to the fire on the Haarendael estate, the route is no longer over the estate (road: Raamse Akkers) but over a parallel road (Lage Raam).

From Vessem you cycle towards the Wilhelmina canal through the Kempen: forests and meadows alternate in a large-scale landscape. From Haghorst you cycle along the Wilhelmina canal, mostly on paved cycle path. You take a trip to the brewery of La Trappe. Just before Tilburg you go via back roads towards Biezenmortel and along the nature reserve Leemkuilen. Then you cycle over the Haarendael estate to Haaren. Then you go via the edge of Helvoirt to Castle Nemerlaer. At the castle you get 2 km of unpaved (but easily cycleable) cycle path, followed by 1.5 km of narrow asphalted cycle path along a dirt road.

Then you cycle through nature reserve Kampina east of Oisterwijk. The route then heads towards Spoordonk and via Oostelbeers you cycle back towards Vessem.

Along the way you will pass several old farms (such as in Vessem, near Heukelom, around Haaren and Spoordonk). You cross several streams such as the Kleine Beerze, Grote Beerze, Reusel, Voorste Stroom, Essche Stroom and the Rosep. The roads are generally quiet in terms of traffic. You have to cross the very busy N65 2 times.