Tour of Kempen from Hilvarenbeek

You cycle to Netersel, one of the so-called Eight Beatitudes: Eersel, Duizel, Steensel, Knegsel, Wintelre, Reusel, Hulsel and Netersel. In the past they were called 'the selligheden', or 'the beatitudes'. Dutch soldiers who were stationed here during the Belgian Revolution scornfully referred to the villages as 'the wretches'. The beautiful old villages are typical of the Brabantse Kempen with their many long-fronted farms. Then you drive a bit across Landgoed De Utrecht. It was mined in 1898 as a financial investment by the life insurance company De Utrecht, hence the name. It is now wonderful to cycle here through the extensive and varied forests.