Cycling route Kempen and Acht Zaligheden
Cycle through an almost fairy-tale landscape of quiet forests, open heathlands, tranquil fens, marshes and peaceful country roads winding between fields and meadows.
The Landscape
The Brabantse Kempen were once a rugged region where sand, heath and peat shaped daily life. Within this historic setting, stories of Goat Riders and mythical forest spirits emerged, still closely tied to the character of the area. Today, you cycle through a welcoming green mosaic of forests, fields and small villages, where long straight roads suddenly give way to winding sandy tracks.
The Acht Zaligheden refers to a cluster of eight villages in the Brabantse Kempen, once given a teasing nickname but now proudly embraced. Around Bladel and Reusel, you experience the region’s characteristic calm, with hedgerows, small streams and farmland blending naturally into the surrounding landscape. It is a route where silence and open space accompany every mile, ideal for relaxed touring and virtual cycling on an e-bike.
Forests and Heaths
In the Kempen, you ride through expansive coniferous forests where soft light filters through the treetops, creating a sheltered atmosphere. The landscape then opens into wide heathlands with broad sandy tracks and distant horizons, where every turn reveals a new view. In late summer, this area often turns shades of purple and gold, offering one of the most atmospheric highlights of the route.
Polders and Farmlands
Between Eersel, Reusel and Bladel, fields, meadows and farmyards alternate at a gentle pace. You cycle along hedgerows and wide country roads that highlight the openness of the Kempen landscape. This is where you truly get to know the region, simple, rural and surprisingly green.
Rivers and Streams
Small streams and waterways trace gentle lines through the landscape, bordered by fresh edges of reeds and alder trees. You ride past damp meadows and quiet banks where the water flows almost unnoticed. This subtle movement gives the Kempen its calm and natural character.
Marshes and Peatlands
Fens and wet lowlands recall the region’s former raised bogs, adding a mysterious touch to the route. Dark pools, waterlogged edges and marshy woodland create a striking contrast with the open farmland. Here, the Kempen feels more rugged and timeless, as if the landscape is still quietly telling its stories.
Join our virtual bike tour and experience the journey
Virtual cycling through the Kempen and the Acht Zaligheden takes you past quiet forests, wide heathlands and long sandy tracks where the sense of space is almost tangible. As you train comfortably at home, villages such as Eersel, Reusel and Bladel pass by within a landscape of greenery and gentle Brabant calm.
Along the way, fens, marshy lowlands and small streams add variety and create a natural rhythm that is easy to ride. This route is ideal for a relaxed session on an indoor trainer or spinning bike, with a landscape that continues to surprise without the distraction of crowds.
Want to learn more about virtual cycling? THIS IS HOW VIRTUAL CYCLING WORKS
Route map and cycling junctions
Start and finish near bike node 11 on the Postelseweg in Eersel. Because this is a circular route, you can also start at one of the other cycling junctions along the route.
- Distance: 50 kilometres
- Estimated cycling time: 3 hours 19 minutes
- Total elevation gain: 44 metres
- 73% of the route runs on paved roads
- 27% of the route runs on unpaved and semi-paved paths
- Ideal for e-bikes and city bikes
- Along the way, there are several places to stop for coffee, a drink or lunch.
