Schôn war!
Historically, our municipality has both industrial and agricultural activity. In the 19th century there were hundreds of shoe factories and small factories in Kaatsheuvel and Loon op Zand. With very hard work they made good money, which was spent mainly on delicious food and drink. This was a basis for the still burgundian life lived in our municipality. If you look closely, you can still see many shoe factories behind the houses in the centers.
There was also shoe industry in the villages surrounding the municipality. Especially in Waalwijk and Dongen. In Dongen there were a number of large tanneries. There was and is also agriculture and cattle breeding in municipality Loon op Zand; which is also visible if you cycle towards Tilburg, Udenhout, Dongen and Elshout.
That there is a lot of creativity in people's genes is proven by 'our' Efteling. Most of the people from our municipality worked there in their younger years and today about 3,000 people from the region work there. After all, hospitality and the motivation to pamper guests is in our blood!
13 blokskes om, pictures of the short walks
We pedal so nòr Tilburg, Wolluk, d'n Elshout, Waspik and Donge
The routes in this booklet are short and can be cycled with children in 1.5 to 2 hours. If you string some routes together, you can cycle for days. There are lots of possibilities and along the way you can enjoy 'urban area', Brabant villages, countryside and woodland. Our beautiful and special dune area is unique because of the 'walking dunes'. People also call this area the 'Brabant Sahara'. If you have some more time, it is certainly worthwhile to deviate from the routes and enjoy what can be seen a few hundred meters away.
Here and there you can see traces of the past. In the outskirts of Kaatsheuvel and Loon op Zand you can enjoy "historic nature" in De Loonse en Drunense Duinen, but also very beautiful "new nature" in Huis ter Heide. Around our villages and our region you also have beautiful views in the countryside. Typical Brabant landscapes. Our cycling routes also take you to nice, beautiful villages in our area that are definitely worth a visit. It is all not far ... ge bent 'r zoo!". Want a route with an exciting story? Then experience the adventures of The White Feather Gang.
Bicycle routes 1 to 4
Bicycle routes 5 to 8
Bicycle routes 9 to 12
The Nut
Our village is typically Brabant. A nice little church and "the cafe" across the street. Next to the café-restaurant you will find the elementary school. This is one of the smallest schools in the Netherlands. The (head) teacher used to live next door. Meanwhile, we also have a small residential area called De Hooivork. As the smallest village in the municipality of Loon op Zand, we only have about 650 inhabitants, but we are very active and it's super nice here. Our soccer club Blauw-Wit '81 has more than 250 members and is the beating heart of our village. Historically, De Moer is an agricultural village.
Around our village you can enjoy the beautiful nature. From forest and fens to meadows. We live a stone's throw away from the Huis ter Heide estate, a relatively unknown nature reserve of about 1000 hectares. Here, a few years ago, Natuurmonumenten built a beautiful Nature Cemetery of 35 ha and also a Memorial Forest for ash scattering of 10 ha. Both are located just off the bicycle path towards Loon op Zand.
It is nice to stay in our village. For example, you will find several farm stores with delicious regional products. In the three restaurants or on the beautiful terraces you have the opportunity to have a cup of coffee, a snack and drink, delicious lunch or dinner. For children there is a very nice playground at De Zwammenberg.
For the beautiful nature you have to take the footpath, but that is definitely worth it! Take a walk along the plank path of the Leikeven. Or enjoy the view from the two watchtowers. It is impressive to see the Scottish Highlanders in the meadows or paddling in the fens. Beautiful walking routes can be found in the booklet: '13 blokskes om'. We wish you a lot of cycling fun and feel welcome in De Moer. See you soon!
Oh, and be careful... Between the 'wildlife crossings' towards Loon op Zand, Scottish Highlanders can cross the cycle path just like that, so be careful!
13 blokskes om, pictures of the short walks
Loon op Zand
Our village Loon op Zand originated in the early Middle Ages, receiving its first name "Venloon" from the Dukes of Brabant. They gave this area with forests and sand drifts to local 'Lords'. It was then called Heerlijckheid Loon op 't Sant or Venloon. Over the centuries, our village has developed into a vibrant community, with tourism, agriculture and crafts playing an important role.
For a long period, many of our parents and ancestors worked in the artisanal shoe industry, with Van Lier shoes (factory: 1919-2005) being the most famous. There were also some tanneries. In the 1960s and 1970s, the shoe industry shrank, to disappear just about completely in the 1980s.
We are proud of the White Castle from the 14th century. Formerly a larger complex, it was partly transformed into the present stately mansion. It tells the story of the past, such as the noble families who lived there. But also of the Swarte Johannes, leader of The Gang of the White Feather, who was imprisoned there. The castle was used as a residence, hunting lodge, country residence, museum, prison and headquarters during the German occupation. Did you know that Napoleon Bonaparte still stayed in the castle? As of 2014, it has been maintained by some 50 volunteers. Het Witte Kasteel is now a popular venue for parties, weddings, meetings, overnight stays, cultural activities and tours.
Are you ready to go cycling? Then don't miss our Loonse and Drunense Dunes! It is literally the backyard of our village and one of the largest areas of drifting sand in Western Europe.
This is not only unique and breathtakingly beautiful, but also has a history dating back to the last ice age. The shifting sands and vast forests have remained largely unchanged over the centuries.
Also the other areas through nature, along water, through villages and the city are very nice and interesting to explore on your bike. We wish you lots of cycling fun and feel welcome back in Loon op Zand. See you soon!
13 blokskes om, pictures of the short walks
Kaatsheuvel
Our village, the "Ketsheuvel" with its 17,000 inhabitants is the largest residential center of the municipality of Loon op Zand and is located on the Loonse and Drunense Dunes. We have a rich history in the shoe business. From 1700 shoes were made on a large scale. First 100% by hand, later machines also lent a hand. The '50s and '60s are also called our 'golden years'.
Just about all of our ancestors worked in the shoe industry. From the 1970s this "craft industry" disappeared; the competition from low-wage countries was too great. Many shoe factories were demolished, but many are still standing. They did get a different function.
In the center and old streets leading up to it, just about every house had an extension for a shoe repair shop or small workshop. You recognize these by the rectangular shapes and often by the fascias. Look closely in the narrow dams between the houses and count them! There are also some larger old factories.
We as Kaatsheuvelnaren have proven to be resilient and creative. With hard work and a lot of creativity, other manufacturing industries arose and we still have an agricultural sector, in which livestock, agriculture and horticulture are practiced. A number of original farms have now also proven themselves in the tourism sector.
We can also be quite proud of our Efteling. In 1935 the foundations were laid by pastor Rietra and chaplain de Klijn in Kaatsheuvel. They were the initiators of a sports and walking park. Exercise was healthy for body and mind, they believed. If the whole family could enjoy themselves on Sundays, it was even better for the well-being of the then still large families. Therefore, a playground was soon added. In order to develop all this even further for the inhabitants of our village, Stichting Natuurpark de Efteling was founded in 1950. With passion, creativity, hospitality and hard work, the Efteling has become the most beautiful amusement park in the world. The Foundation is still the sole owner of our famous amusement park.
Enjoy the bicycle routes in this booklet. Many of them run through the center and past the three churches. We wish you much cycling fun and feel welcome back in 'De Kets'. See you soon!
13 blokskes om, pictures of the short walks
Prefer paper to digital?
Would you rather have the routes on paper than digitally? You can pick up the booklet containing all 12 routes for free at the Tourist Information Point in Kaatsheuvel. Have fun!
