Brabant, where the Kempen, the Peel and the Meierij meet, located on the south side of the Netherlands, an enchanting landscape with several nature reserves. Here begins your journey through many forests and heathlands, an adventure through the hidden treasures of this beautiful part of the country.
You start in lively Veldhoven, the gateway to the Kempen. From there you drive south, on your way to the border with Belgium. Along the way you will briefly pass through the Belgian Kempenland before continuing your journey towards Oosterhout, where you can enjoy a delicious lunch. The road then leads you along the border of Gelderland and Brabant, through small villages to the picturesque banks of the Bergsche Maas.
At Waalwijk you turn south again. But the adventure is not over yet!
You continue your route between majestic farms, through the enchanting landscape of the Loonse and Drunense Dunes. As you drive through this area, you will feel one with nature, surrounded by peace and beauty. A final winding road through the serene Kampina nature reserve ultimately takes you to your final destination in Best. There you can look back with pleasure on a ride that showed you the true essence of Brabant: a land of peace, natural beauty and hidden treasures.

With the starting point in Veldhoven at McDonald's, this will be another beautiful ride with many historical values. Veldhoven owes its nickname 'the pearl of Brabant' to its geographical location on the southern edge of 'the Kempen'. After your departure, you drive through the relatively young suburbs towards the airport, after which you leave the hustle and bustle of the city.
The new ring road takes you to the Molenvelden nature reserve. This area is characterized by its varied landscape, consisting of forests, heaths, fens and grasslands. At the border of this area you reach your first village, the picturesque Knegsel. Then you drive through the Oeienbos towards Steensel, after which the Sprankel forest area leads you past Eersel.
The large forest area of the Kempen begins at the border of Eersel. The Kempen was once known for its poverty and exploitation. It was an area where the soil was difficult to cultivate and the people often led a difficult life. Nowadays you will find extensive forests, heathlands and peatlands. It is a wild and unspoilt area, where nature prevails and where various animal species such as deer, wild boars and various bird species live.
You follow the Kempen across the border near Postel, a place known for its abbey and chip shops. The abbey was founded in 1138 by monks of the Norbertine order, also known as the Premonstratensians. Today the monastery hosts pilgrims and travelers, and regularly organizes guided tours, spiritual retreats and cultural events. Trappist beer and cheese are one of the most famous products produced by the monks according to age-old recipes and traditions. Postel is a stopping place for many tourists and motorcyclists.
From there you drive north towards the Dutch Peelse Heide, a vast heathland area located below Reusel and Bladel. This area is part of the Kempense Heuvelrug, a region known for its sandy soils, heathlands and forests. During your ride on the roads, the open heathland landscape becomes mainly visible, interspersed with scattered forests and fens. A short distance away, the lush surroundings of the Turnhoutse Heide offer an excellent place for a coffee break at forest café 'Krek Wak Wou'. The local Brabant expression 'Krek wak wou' translates to 'exactly what I wanted', and that certainly applies to this charming place. After a while behind the wheel, a cup of coffee and stretching your legs is 'Krek wak wou'.
After half an hour of rest, it is time for the next piece of nature: the Wellenseindse Heide, which borders the De Utrecht Estate. Both areas are known for their extensive purple heathland landscapes. Although they may not be directly visible from the road, they can be admired from the numerous forest rest areas along the route.

When leaving this piece of nature you make the next crossing through Belgium towards the small and largely modern village of Alphen-Chaam. You then drive in a wide arc around the Chaamse Bergen nature reserve. The Chaamse Bossen have a rich history when it comes to smuggling. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, the borders between the Netherlands and Belgium were closely guarded. Smugglers took advantage of the dense forests and remote trails of the Chaamse Forests to illegally transport goods across the border, such as tobacco, alcohol and other controlled products.
Once you have left this area, you drive towards the Gilze-Rijen air base. This oldest air base in the Netherlands is now known as Gilze-Rijen Military Airbase. The route then follows the contours of the air base and takes you towards Boswachterij Dorst, an area with a varied landscape of forests, heathland, sand drifts and loam pits. Various motorcycle routes have been set out that lead you through the most beautiful parts of the forestry.
Shortly afterwards you will arrive in Oosterhout, where a lunch stop is planned for you. During this one-hour break, this location offers sufficient choice for both a quick and extensive lunch. The three local eateries, La Place, KFC and McDonald's, are happy to help you make the right choice for a snack and a drink. Parking is no problem there.
After the break it is time to visit the slightly less wooded area. Via Ostend, the beautiful Gravenmoer and Waspik you drive towards the 'Oude Maasje', a branch of the 'Bergsche Maas'. Driving on the dike roads, this part of the Maas turns into the Zuiderkanaal. The view you have along the way is stark but certainly breathtaking.
Via the Waalwijk marina you then drive to Heusden, an old fortified town just below the Land van Heusden and Altena. Heusden has a historic center with narrow streets, picturesque houses and historic buildings, such as St. Catherine's Church and the Town Hall. When the weather is good, it is nice to spend time on the square with the many catering establishments. Although the route does not run through the center, the information about Heusden is definitely worth it. If I have aroused your interest with this explanation, then be sure to visit this place.

Via the edge of Heusden you drive to Drunen and then to the nature reserve 'Loonse en Drunense Duinen'. This is one of the largest drifting sand areas in Europe, surrounded by forests, heathlands and fens. A unique and beautiful nature reserve that invites visitors to enjoy the peace, beauty and natural diversity of this special landscape. There is an opportunity to have a coffee stop at the adjacent restaurant 'd'n Dries'.
You drive around the Helvoirtse Heide and via Cromvoirt, Helvoirt, Biezenmortel and Udenhout south towards Oisterwijk. This village is known for its artisanal craftsmanship, such as the leather and clog industry, which dates back to the 17th century. There was also restaurant 'De Swaen' by the Dutch famous chef and TV chef Cas Spijkers. Unfortunately, Cas passed away from us in 2011.
East of Oirschot you will find the nature reserve 'Kampina'. The Kampina is an extensive nature reserve of over 1,200 hectares, located between Oisterwijk and Boxtel in North Brabant. It is one of the oldest and most valuable nature reserves in the Netherlands and has been largely owned by Natuurmonumenten since 1929. During your route you will drive on the north side of this area towards Boxtel.
The last part of the ride goes south around the nature reserve 'de Mortelen Heerenbeek' towards Best. This small relaxing environment is worth mentioning and offers the relaxation that suits nature. Then the ride ends back at the same restaurant where you left. The restaurant was famous because it used to house a large statue of Michael Jackson. The franchisee at the time, Peter van Gelder, was a huge fan of the pop star. He installed the statue in 1996 to celebrate the reopening of his restaurant. But in 2019 the statue was removed because of the documentary Leaving Neverland.

If you want to make another fuel stop, there is an opportunity to refill your tank at the Shell directly next to this final stop.