Langs 't kenaol

If you cycle this route from Loon op Zand, KP 37, you will first pass our Catholic church Sint-Jans Onthoofding. Built in 1394 after our ancestors were forced to move their village 'Venloon' due to the advancing drifting sands and nuisance of war. The previously built St. Willibrord's Church on the Kerkenakker was then demolished. Until 1570 the tower was built in the style of the so-called 'Kempen Gothic'.

Our church (photo) was in Protestant hands from 1648 to 1821. However, the church was too large for them. Much of the interior was then removed and much of the church was used as a horse and goat stable, council house or as a shelter for soldiers during the Dutch war against the French (1672-1678). In 1800, the entire spire of the tower was blown off. When our ancestors recovered the church, they restored it.

The round trip from KP62 you cycle for a while along the Wilhelminakanaal. Tilburg wanted to become accessible by water as early as the 18th century because of its emerging wool industry. The construction of the canal only started in 1910 and it was put into use in 1923. It has 5 so-called bayonet locks. Between KP62 and KP57 is after a so-called "swinging bowl" where ships can turn around. We pass the national monument Lock III. It was built simultaneously with the construction of the canal.

After KP57 we return to our municipality Loon op Zand and immediately see the characteristic and authentic farm "Auberge De Moerse Hoeve", We cycle through the Moer landscape to De Moer, which originated in the 14th century. Here we see our beautiful neo-Gothic H. Joachim Church, dating from 1902.

Direction KP13 we cycle through the nature reserve Huis ter Heide. A versatile area of about 1000ha with forest, heath and fens. Beware: Scottish Highlanders and deer can cross it! You also cycle past the Nature Cemetery and Memorial Forest De Spinder. Finally, we cycle past event location 'Experience Island', located on the beautiful Blue Lake, KP13.