Explore the Groote Heide on foot

Just below Eindhoven lies the Groote Heide. This area consists of several small heathlands that are connected to each other and stretch over 20 kilometers. The southernmost part of the heath lies across the Belgian border.

Small heathland areas in the Groote Heide
You might think that the Groote Heide consists of an enormously vast heathland. At least that is what the name suggests, but nothing could be further from the truth. This heathland used to be large, but nowadays there is little left. The small heathlands that are still there are connected to each other by natural bridges. These bridges go over roads so that the animals that live in this area can move safely from one side to the other. The Groote Heide is of course maintained by using Kempen heath sheep that graze here. The sheep have been grazing here since 1981.

Pay a visit to Aalst
Near the start and end point of the route you will find the church village of Aalst. Visit this village if you would like to experience what life is like in a typical Brabant village. There is certainly plenty to see here. Take a look at the Aalstermolen, a corn mill from 1904, the Onze-Lieve-Vrouw Presentation Church from 1906 or the Treeswijk estate with a villa from 1829.