Smuggling route: Baarle-Nassau and the Bels Lijntje

This cycling tour runs through the green border area between Breda and Tilburg. The extensive and dense forests here used to offer sufficient opportunities to cross the border unnoticed.

Chaamse Bossen
You first drive to Gilze and then through the Chaamse Bossen. This was once a rugged area with sand drifts and wet heath, but the area was reclaimed between 1900 and 1935. The fens were drained and where the area was too wet, grasslands were allowed to grow. Many Scots pines were also planted. The result is a surprisingly varied forest.

Carriage house Anneville
You will also pass Koetshuis Anneville. The building played an important role during the Second World War: Prince Bernhard and King Wilhelmina both stayed there. The queen reportedly heard about the capitulation of the Germans in the Netherlands here. You cross the border between the Netherlands and Belgium several times, including in the enclave village of Baarle-Nassau. It's not hard to see why this area used to be so popular with smugglers! The Bels Lijntje takes you back to your starting point.