River Donge

A varied route where you pass a lot of natural beauty and idyllic pictures. Where you encounter typical Brabant villages and beautiful places. So we cycle through Dongen past the beautiful village of 's-Gravenmoer to cycle along the river Donge towards Raamsdonk. Via Waspik the route goes to the other side of 's-Gravenmoer to then cycle via Dongensevaart through a beautiful piece of Brabant landscape to De Moer, KP38.

In Dongen, KP09, you cycle past the Sint Laurentiuskerk on the Hoge Ham. This 1921 expressionist-style church is known for its striking dome, 8 sides and red roof tiles. The interior is beautiful. Dongen had an important role in the shoe industry of the Langstraat. The large tanneries found their patronage throughout the region.

Then, as you cycle along the Donge, KP28, nothing reminds you of the stench of decades ago, when the tanneries discharged their wastewater into this little river. It was just about the most polluted river in the Netherlands.

The Martinuskerk in 's Gravenmoer dates from the 15th century and is a beautiful example of Gothic architecture. You will have to follow the path to the right at KP28 for a few hundred meters and cycle back.

From KP12 you cycle along the Halve Zolenpad. You can turn left at KP13 and visit Waspik. Waspik is known for its beautiful, monumental farmhouses, two special churches and residential houses with beautiful frame facades. The name "Waspik" comes from "waes," which is marshland, and "pik," which is a protruding piece of land.

'Halve Zolenpad' comes from 'Halve Zolenlijn', the railroad from the late 19th century. It connected Lage Zwaluwe via Waalwijk with 's-Hertogenbosch and played an important role in the shoe and leather industry. Among other things, half soles for shoes were transported over this railroad.