Vlijmen, Vught and Cromvoirt

The Vughterheide is a beautiful wooded area with a grim history. In 1600 there was heavy fighting in the area during the Battle of Lekkerbeetjen, the last heroic knight battle in Western Europe. Even after that there were still deaths; not because of battle, but because there was a gallows field near two fens in the area. Here, to set an example, executed criminals used to be publicly hanged. In 1844, the area was purchased by King William II, who turned it into an army base and constructed eight lunettes. The site is still owned by the Ministry of Defense. You will still find some remnants of heather between the trees of the Scots pine forest. Where the area is a bit wetter, special plants grow: floating rush, brown beaked rush, small sundew, marsh club moss, bell gentian, wild gale and marsh deer hay. The hawfinch, the nuthatch, the glossy-headed and various types of woodpeckers breed in the trees and between the shrubs of the heath, while the moor frog and the great crested newt like to visit the pools. The picturesque Vught is also fun to visit. The beautiful municipal coat of arms of Vught was made in 1817 and shows two churches mirrored opposite each other. This is because Vught traditionally has two parishes: St. Lambertus and St. Peter's parish. The village is best known for its former concentration camp. Because of the presence of the camp, Vught is rich in many war monuments where many victims of the Second World War are commemorated. Your journey starts at Profile Fitters. Have your bicycle serviced by a bicycle specialist or have minor repairs carried out. Grab something tasty at IJs en Taartmoment before you make your way to Fort Isabella without any worries. Fort Isabella is a fortification built around 1610 for the defense of the city. The fortress, which is named after Archduchess Isabella, was first besieged in 1629. The fort served as a barracks until 1993, after which it lost its military function. The barracks was taken over by the Central Shelter for Asylum Seekers and is currently used as a departure center for asylum seekers who have exhausted all legal remedies. Via the Liberation Monument Helvoirt, which was placed to commemorate the liberation of that place in 1945, you cycle to the Emma mill in Nieuwkuijk. The round stone mill from 1886 has always ground grain and still does so in 2013. In fact, this is largely done with the original furnishings. Besides the fact that the old flour mill is used for its original purpose and grinds animal feed, it has also been given a new function: part of the mill houses a cafe. You can also buy flour in the mill hull or enjoy a guided tour.