Cycling routes

The directions

Cycle route I, 18 km Start at convent square. 
We pass the following Gool secrets: Sint Jan church, tramway, Het Bankven, het Kasteeltje, de Waranda, De Leenhof, Speel en klimbos, de Roovertsche Leij, Het klooster, Naturentuin, Golfclub, manege de Heideruiter, Group accommodation Active Stay, Camping ut Paradeske, Breehees, Schoorsteen Havep.

Instead of a walk this time a short cycle route along some Goolse Secrets, we will start at our cosy monastery square and cycle down Tilburgseweg to church St Jan.

St John
The church is a neo-Gothic church designed by Jos Cuypers and built from 1896-1897. Past the church, we cycle towards Trambaan

The Tramway
The Tramway ran from Tilburg via Goirle and Hilvarenbeek to Esbeek and was opened in 1907. By 1930, the steam tram had become obsolete and public transport was taken over by the BBA.

Immediately over the little bridge, we turn right and cycle on to node 36. From here we follow the cycle junctions: 36- 38-50-77-35-36 .

On route 36-38, after 1.15 km the Bankven is on your right, cycle into the forest path and enjoy one of Goirle's most beautiful spots.

The Bankven
At any time of the year, I can enjoy its beauty. The Bankven already appears on very old staff maps.The Bankven has been in use as a skating rink for many years and has been run as such by the Goirlesche Ijsclub 't Bankven, founded on 1 January 1919.

At junction 38 we turn right and see the little castle on our right-hand side

T Castle,
built as a hunting lodge in 1873 by Eugène de Zerezo de Tejada a son of a noble Spanish family. The purchase of the farms on Roovert and the surrounding heathland created the current estate. The castle is now owned by the Goirles textile manufacturer family Van Puyenbroek,

A stone's throw away, you can see the Leenhof where the van Gorp family lived.

Leenhof
In the 17th century, there is already talk of this house on Gorp, called "the Montenshoeve" and in the 18th century it received its current name "het leenhofke of leenhof de Koepel". It was from this Kempen farm with its turret that the feudal lords were paid. Opposite the Leenhoef, the entrance to the Waranda is hidden.

Waranda
This star forest was laid out by Cornelis Bles in 1770 in the form of a park with a diamond around the circular pond, topped by an island of trees. Rest for a while on the bench by the pond and enjoy the silence.

We cycle on to junction 50 and turn right towards 77

Paradise Bridge
You cross the leij, which meanders beautifully through the estate here; this bridge has been named paradise bridge because Ioannes Goropius Becanus (Jan van Gorp, 1519-1573) claimed that the Low German language was the oldest language in the world and that Adam and Eve had therefore spoken Antwerps in the earthly paradise.
On our left, we pass the climbing and adventure forest where the real adventurers can take a course high through the trees. On the right, you will see the Roovertsche leij Nature Gate.

We cross the road and continue cycling until 160 metres before junction 77, where you will see a hidden chapel on the left in the forest.

Border chapel
If you continue cycling for 200 metres at junction 77, you will arrive at The Monastery of Nieuwkerk, with natura garden.

Monastery New Church
Today, this is a wonderful place to have coffee, lunch or a party. What must it have been like in the past when the trainee priests were housed there? An old photo shows that the stately trees that are there now had yet to be planted. The convent with chapel was built at the request of the baron "the master of Betzenbroek" on condition that the tenants of Nieuwkerk were allowed to attend mass at least once a week on Sundays. On 1 June 1913, the convent was consecrated and became the home for trainee priests.
We return to node 77 and cycle towards 35.
After 240 metres, turn left onto the cycle path (popularly known as Jos van Wezelpad). 600 metres further on, you will see the clubhouse of golf club Nieuwkerk on your right. A gem among golf courses. Praised by many for its beauty and tranquillity.

At junction 35, cross the road at the traffic lights towards junction 36. You will pass manege de Heideruiter, a great place to trade in your iron steed for a real one to explore the Regte Heide. group accommodation Active Stay where you can spend an active holiday/weekend with a group. Mini Camping ut Paradeske, because, like Jan van Gorp, they find it a paradise here, and Camping Breehees, with its completely renovated farm terrace.
At junction 36, go straight ahead and cross the little bridge over the leij. The old cobblestones remind us of the past. On your left, you will see the old HAVEP gatehouse, a characteristic image for Goirle. At the end of the road, turn right towards the church and then follow the bend to the left to end up on the convent square again.