Nature walk Molenheide / Luchense Heide [Between Geldrop and Mierlo]

If you are lucky you can park at the official starting point of this walk, but it is located on a cycle path where cars are also allowed to drive. There are several excellent alternatives. Starting at Bospark't Wolfsven is ideal. This is easy to find and there is ample parking. The starting point is at the unpaved intersection (recognizable by a street name sign) in a gentle bend to the left just before the parking lot.

You can also park your car on the other side of Mierloseweg, diagonally opposite Mierlo War Cemetery. There is a fairly spacious parking lot here, and the walking route passes over it.

For those who like to eat and/or drink something on a terrace afterwards. I recommend De Strabrechtse Hoeve (Aardborstweg 19, Mierlo), because you will also pass there during this walk.

DIRECTIONS:

A popular (and highly rated) MTB route runs through this area and, especially in the section over the Molenheide, you sometimes have to watch out for mountain bikers. 

The route runs over two forest and heath areas that are separated by the Mierloseweg. The route starts at the MOLENHEIDE on the edge of the De Coevering residential area and that section is very popular as a walking area, especially for dog owners.  The walk largely consists of wide sandy paths, so it is clear and easily accessible. This is also the most photogenic part of the route, but the proximity of the A67 (which you walk along very briefly) does mean that you constantly hear traffic here. 

The LUCHENSE HEIDE is more forest than heath and is also the location for't Wolfsven, which is of course very busy, especially during the holiday months. I have hardly seen heather here, but as soon as the Mierloseweg is out of sight you can enjoy the peace and quiet here. The walk runs for a while through a very quiet residential area, but then it is again a wide sandy path, a piece of forest and you end up at the Eindhoven Canal. On the other side is a tourist cycle path and behind it you see the grounds of Golf Club De Gulbergen. The route then runs past Spaarpot Oost, a small industrial estate and it is one long straight (sand) road towards the starting point. 

One of my favorite walks so far!

SIGNAGE:

Pretty much perfect. The junction at the Eindhoven Canal can be confusing, because there is junction 82 on either side of the canal, but that is the only criticism.