Smugglers’ Route De Groote Heide: the customs officer
The route begins at the Achelse Kluis Abbey and goes past several old smuggler paths, customs offices, border posts and border crossings. All are iconic parts of the smuggling story around the border between North Brabant and Belgium. This is a varied route, providing you with a good connection between city, country, the Netherlands and Belgium. You travel through unspoilt countryside and go past charming villages famous for their smuggling past. Play the cat-and-mouse game in the border area of De Groote Heide and follow in the footsteps of the smuggler, using this cycle route of about 44 kilometres.
Sights on this route
De Kluis 1B
3930 Hamont-Achel
Customs buildings De Acht Zaligheden
Achel Statie 1125Hamont-Achel
Customs buildings De Acht Zaligheden
Customs buildings De Acht Zaligheden
Achel Statie 1125
Hamont-Achel
Border crossing with National Border Post 172
AsbroekwegBudel
Border crossing with National Border Post 172
Border crossing with National Border Post 172
Asbroekweg
Budel
Smuggling Museum Cranendonck
Smokkel en Grens museum CranendonckSchutstraatje 20d
6021cc Budel
Smuggling Museum Cranendonck
Smuggling Museum Cranendonck
Smokkel en Grens museum Cranendonck
Schutstraatje 20d
6021cc Budel
Artwork of the former butter factory and St. Cornelius Chapel
St. CornelispleinGastel
Artwork of the former butter factory and St. Cornelius Chapel
Artwork of the former butter factory and St. Cornelius Chapel
St. Cornelisplein
Gastel
De Doodendraad / Death Wire
De DoodendraadRuiterstraat (kruising met Beverbeekse Heide)
3930 Hamont-Achel
De Doodendraad / Death Wire
De Doodendraad / Death Wire
De Doodendraad
Ruiterstraat (kruising met Beverbeekse Heide)
3930 Hamont-Achel
The Double Post, National Border Post 176 with Barony Post
3930 Hamont-Achel
The Double Post, National Border Post 176 with Barony Post
The Double Post, National Border Post 176 with Barony Post
3930 Hamont-Achel
De Kluis 1B
3930 Hamont-Achel