War in De Loonse en Drunense Duinen
De Loonse en Drunense Duinen, a beautiful nature reserve that was used during the war as a strategic place full of ammunition depots and hiding places.As you walk through the forest, you will pass trenches in De Loonse en Drunense Duinen, hidden in nature, but still clearly visible. The remains of bombing in the form of old bomb craters give you a tangible reminder of the violent events that took place here.
Munition Ausgabe Stelle in the dunes (walking route)
The former munitions depot is an interesting stop, where the Germans hid their explosives. The special walking route that takes you past these historical sites is the M.A.St. route, developed by Heemkundekring 'De Ketsheuvel' in cooperation with Natuurmonumenten.
The name M.A.St. refers to Munition Ausgabe Stelle - or a German ammunition issuing site. Once, more than 130 ammunition bunkers, barracks and military facilities such as parking lots and even a sports field were located here on a 300-hectare site. During the Second World War Brabant hiking trail, which starts near the Efteling, you'll walk past traces of the past: from latrines and machine gun nests to craters created when the ammunition was detonated at the end of the war. Nature has now taken over much, but the traces of war in this nature reserve remain tangible under your feet.
Scottish Highlanders Liberation Routes
Since May 5, 2025, two new Scottish Highlanders Liberation Routes can be experienced in the municipalities of Heusden and Waalwijk. These bicycle routes are part of the international network of Liberation Route Europe and portray the story of the liberation in a special way. They follow the trail of the brave Scottish soldiers of the 51st Highland Division, who played a crucial role in the liberation of this region in November 1944.
Scottish Highlanders Liberation Route Heusden (bicycle route)
The 38 kilometer Scottish Highlanders Liberation Route Heusden starts and ends at the National Park Loonse en Drunense Duinen and takes you past impressive and important locations from World War II. Along the way you will discover personal and military stories via the Liberation Route app.
Scottish Highlanders Liberation Trail Heusden
Scottish Highlanders Liberation Route Waalwijk (bicycle route)
The Scottish Highlanders Liberation Route Waalwijk leads you along places that remember the liberation of the city by Scottish troops. Both routes can be cycled flexibly, from any point and in both directions. They are a tribute to the Scottish liberators and make history almost tangible, in the landscape where it took place.
Scottish Highlanders Liberation Route Waalwijk
Commemorative monuments and special places in Waalwijk, Sprang-Capelle and Waspik
There are two bicycle routes in the municipality of Waalwijk. One of the routes goes past WW2 monuments, memorials and plaques in the municipality. The other route is set out in the context of 80 years of freedom and tells the stories surrounding the liberation of Sprang-Capelle.
80 years of freedom: the traces of WW2 in Sprang-Capelle (bicycle route)
Heemkundevereniging Sprang-Capelle has developed a special bicycle route that takes you along 28 locations with traces of the Second World War. You cycle past monuments and places where the war is tangibly present - sometimes clearly visible, sometimes hidden behind a special story. Via the QR code in the route booklet you get access to extensive information about the various locations, to read during the route or later at home.
This route offers a unique way to experience the past and reflect on the events that shaped the village. Since May 1, 2025, the route is available from Heemkundevereniging Sprang-Capelle, ideal for those who want to discover the history of Sprang-Capelle in an active and respectful way.
WW2 Monument Route Waalwijk: a journey through time (bicycle route)
For those who like a brisk bike ride full of history, there is the WW2 monument route through Waalwijk, Sprang-Capelle and Waspik. Over a distance of 37.3 kilometers you cycle past 22 memorial sites. You will pass places such as the Monument for the Fallen in Waalwijk, a tribute to the victims of the war. In Sprang-Capelle you will find the impressive Lancaster Monument, on the spot where a British bomber crashed. And in Waspik you will discover an old bunker that was part of the German defense line. These monuments and memorial sites each tell their own story and make the route extra special.
Bicycle route along WW2 monuments Waalwijk
Heusden: a city full of stories
A walk through Heusden is not only a journey through a historic fortified town, but also a confrontation with the past. The war may have been over for decades, but its traces are still visible here.
Town hall disaster Heusden
The most poignant event in Heusden took place on November 4 and 5, 1944, when the retreating German troops committed a disastrous act. In the basement of Heusden City Hall that night, some 200 civilians took shelter from the violence of war. The German occupiers were aware of this but still decided to blow up the tower of the building. As a result, 134 men, women and children lost their lives. The Town Hall disaster is still considered one of the greatest tragedies of fortified Heusden.
A memorial keeps the memory of this disaster alive. On Liberation Day and around November 5, this is remembered every year. The staff at the Tourist Information Point (TIP) Heusden can tell you more about it; the memorial can be found on the square in front of the TIP (Pelsestraat 17).
TIP Heusden
The power of remembrance: why it remains important
We live in freedom and sometimes that seems obvious. But the stories from World War II show us how fragile that freedom is. By visiting the war memorials, hidden stories and tangible memories in De Langstraat, we keep the past alive - for ourselves and for generations to come.
