Smugglers’ Route De Groote Heide: the customs officer

(44.0 km)

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

1
Inspiratiepunt De Groote Heide / Achelse Kluis
De Kluis 1B
3930 Hamont-Achel
2

De Achelse Kluis Abbey

De Achelse Kluis
De Kluis 1
3930 Hamont-Achel
De Achelse Kluis Abbey
3

Customs buildings De Acht Zaligheden

Achel Statie 1125
Hamont-Achel
Customs buildings De Acht Zaligheden
4

Chevaux de frise

Burg-Kloosterstraat
Hamont-Achel
Chevaux de frise
5

Former customs residences

Keunenlaan 4
Hamont-Achel
Former customs residences
6

Former Belgian customs office

Grensweg 65
Budel
Former Belgian customs office
7

Border crossing with National Border Post 172

Asbroekweg
Budel
Border crossing with National Border Post 172
8

Smuggling Museum Cranendonck

Smokkel en Grens museum Cranendonck
Schutstraatje 20d
6021cc Budel
Smuggling Museum Cranendonck
9

Barony of Cranendonck

Cranendonck 1
6027 RK Soerendonk
Barony of Cranendonck
10

Former village shop/chemist’s

Damenweg 1
Soerendonk
Former village shop/chemist’s
11

De Strijper Aa

Kluisweg
Gastel
De Strijper Aa
12

Artwork of the former butter factory and St. Cornelius Chapel

St. Cornelisplein
Gastel
Artwork of the former butter factory and St. Cornelius Chapel
13

De Doodendraad / Death Wire

De Doodendraad
Ruiterstraat (kruising met Beverbeekse Heide)
3930 Hamont-Achel
De Doodendraad / Death Wire
14

The Double Post, National Border Post 176 with Barony Post

3930 Hamont-Achel
The Double Post, National Border Post 176 with Barony Post
15

Location of former Border chapel

Beverbeekse Heide
Hamont-Achel
Location of former Border chapel
16
Inspiratiepunt De Groote Heide / Achelse Kluis
De Kluis 1B
3930 Hamont-Achel