Vlijmen, Vught and Cromvoirt

The Vughterheide is a beautiful wooded area with a gruesome history. In 1600, there was a lot of fighting in the area during the Battle of Lekkerbeetjen, the last heroic knightly battle in Western Europe. Even after that, there were still deaths; not because of fighting, but because there was a gallows field near two fens in the area. In the past, executed criminals were publicly hanged here, to set an example. In 1844, the area was purchased by King William II, who turned it into a military camp and built eight lunettes. The area is still owned by the Ministry of Defence. You can still find a few remnants of heathland between the trees of the Scots pine forest. Where the area is a bit wetter, special plants grow: floating rush, brown beak rush, small sundew, marsh clubmoss, marsh gentian, wild bog myrtle and marsh stag's-tail. In the trees and between the bushes of the heathland the hawfinch, the nuthatch, the marsh tit and various types of woodpecker breed, while the moor frog and the crested newt like to visit the pools. The picturesque Vught is also nice to see. The beautiful municipal coat of arms of Vught was made in 1817 and shows two churches that are mirrored opposite each other. This is because Vught traditionally has two parishes: the Sint-Lambertus and the Sint-Pieters parish. The village is best known for its former concentration camp. Due to the presence of the camp, Vught is rich in many war memorials where many victims of the Second World War are commemorated. Your tour starts at Profile Fitters. Have your bike serviced by the bicycle specialist or have minor repairs carried out. Have something tasty at IJs en Taartmoment before you set off carefree to Fort Isabella. Fort Isabella is a fortification that was built around 1610 to defend the city. The fortress, which is named after Archduchess Isabella, was first besieged in 1629. Until 1993, the fort served as a barracks, after which it lost its military function. The barracks were taken over by the Central Reception of Asylum Seekers and are currently used as a departure centre for rejected asylum seekers. Via the Helvoirt Liberation Monument, which was placed to commemorate the liberation of that place in 1945, you cycle to the Emma mill in Nieuwkuijk. The round stone tower mill from 1886 has always ground grain and still does so in 2013. In fact, this is done largely with the original interior. In addition to the old corn mill being used for its original purpose and grinding cattle feed, it has also been given a new function: a café is located in part of the mill. You can also buy flour in the mill body or enjoy a guided tour.