LAW 7-II: Pelgrimspad (2000, 2001)

To the End of the Beginning

Currently, the Pilgrims Path is known in Holland as LAW 7-II (part I being a later constructed one between Amsterdam and 's-Hertogenbosch). This path is fostered by the ANWB.
(Within breackets you see the walking distance and the additional one for making connections to and from a bus/railway stop.)

• 's-Hertogenbosch-Oisterwijk, via Vught, Esch, Haaren. [20.5+3km]
  It was a cold, but sunny day. The trail started at the Railway Station and through the city I reached the southern fortresses ("Hier werd de veste overmand ... Hier brak met hertogdom de band ... Maar Brabant bleef sijn yghen lant") and passed the one where the Dommel River enters the city. Here, in 1628, 's-Hertogenbosch was invaded by the Dutch under the leadership of Frederik Hendrik and taken over from the Spanish troops during "our" 80-Years War (1568-1648). At this place also an overview of the pilgrims trail can be found.
  A few kilometers further, today in a nice area, another war-remembrance was found: the Vught shooting place where so many people during the WO-II were being shot (info).
  Later in the afternoon, it became pretty cold. The trail went through agricultural land before reaching Oisterwijk Railway Station. Because I had to wait for some time I entered the village and took a meal at a local Chinese restaurant.
• Middelbeers, via Kampina and Spoordonk. [19.5+3km]
  The Kampina Moors were cold, very wet, but wunderful: I, II, III. I had my boots taken with me to cross the water at several places and, indeed, I needed them! The moors were nicely silent, I was alone and just a few wild horses were met.
  To contrast: In Spoordonk I had to join the local, very lively, carnival procession. Nearby, the Holy Oak Chapel offers a remote refuge: I, II.
  In Middelbeers I used the direct bus connection to Eindhoven.
• Steensel, via Landschotse Heide, Vessem, Halfmijl, Knegsel. [21km]
  The weather forcast was promising: may be even 20 degrees - and that on the first days of April ... Of course it appeared to be not that warm. I even had to wear my jack for a good part of the day.
  The tour was nearly completely done via pathes of sand, with good views: moors, or along the border of the forests. And despite the fact that Vessem and Knegsel were passed: it was silent.
  The Landschotse Heide offered some nice fens, but the first view from the north-west corner is the best. Many birds are here. In Vessem I passed the Jacobushoeve, which, however, was closed on this Monday. Near Halfmijl an old grave ("grafheuvel") could be seen. In Knegsel I finally found a restaurant that was opened. They had special beer from Dommelsch (Kelderbier). Just for Steensel the silence that characterized this walk was gone: here you pass the A67. In Steensel I took the bus (150) to Eindhoven.
• Heeze, via Broekhoven, Volmolenbrug, Timmereind, Loon, Treeswijk, Achtereind, Aalsterhut, A2, Meelakkers. [24km]
  Eastermonday, rather cold in the morning, I left Bus 150 ca 9.40h in Steensel. It was a day through woods, silent, alone, but along very nice long trails. At the watermill Volmolenbrug (renovated) there was a restaurant (that was now open on Monday). Some nice trees were found here. At the Aalsterhut I didn't stop (may be I should have done). Shortly after this I walked a part shared with the "Vennekespad" (done in 1999). In Heeze the path passes the Railway Station. Here I stopped (while sun was starting to shine), but I had to wait an additional half hour, because train schedules were as on Sundays. The train trip to Eindhoven lasted only 10 minutes.
• Weert, via the country areas Strabrechtse Heide, Somerense Heide, Vrolijke Jager, Hugterheide, Weerterbosch, A2, Weerter- en Budelerbergen, Swimmingpool De IJzeren Man. [39+5km]
  One of the best parts of this trail, with the long walk around and over the Strabrechtse Heide as unique highlight: large moors, nice fens, many birds to see and to hear: I, II, III. And then you enter the woods again. Halfway there is the opportunity to stop and to go and to take the bus to Eindhoven in Maarheeze. However I liked to go on. I passed an old border-chapel from the past, found a cross-memorial from WO II in the woods (I, II) and finally crossed the A2 to the Budel area. Here the path crosses a few times the Iron Rhine railway. The last hour to Weert Railway Station was a very long one ...
• Thorn, Swimmingpool De IJzeren Man, Alweerterheide, Tungelroy, Ell, Hunsel, Ittervoort. [28+5km]
  This was agriculture country with quite some roads of asphalt: very disappointing after the great tour just done! In Hunsel there were some special marks of the Pilgrim Path. The small white city of Thorn was a jewel to approach from Ittervoort as well as to see. I visited the church here. By bus (halfway a connection between Roermond and Weert) I returned to the Railway Station in Weert.
• Sittard, at first in Belgium via Kessenich, Geistingen, Ophoven, Aldeneik, Maaseik, then in The Netherlands via Roosteren, Visserweert, Illikhoven, Schipperskerk, Born, Limbricht. [30km]
  Again a somewhat disappointing tour, but maybe I expected too much of the river area.
• Voerendaal, via Windraak, Puth, Spaubeek, Tervoorst (Nuth), Wijnandsrade, Weustenrade. [24km]
  A nice tour (I, II), already immediately after starting at the Railway Station in Sittard. A long climb brought to the top of the first hills, just east of the city: more than 100m.
• Schin op Geul, via Ubachsberg, Mingersberg, Trintelen, Eyserheide, Gulpen, Wijlre. [20km]
  A very nice tour (I). The highest point here was ca 210m. In Mingersberg I took a meal in the Hubertus restaurant. From Gulpen there were nice walks along the winding Gulp river and later, at Wijlre, along the Geul River. This is the country of Gulpener Beer and of Brand Beer. At the Railway Station of Schin op Geul I was in time to see the steam train: I, II.
• Eijsden, via de Schaelsberg, Oud Valkenburg, Scheulder, Groot-Welsdam, Cadier en Keer, Gronsveld, Savelsbosch, Mariadorp. [28+4km]
  Already the next day (Monday) I took the train again, this time via Maastricht. It started with a steep climb to the Kluis on the Schaelsberg hill. Then the tour continued at the south side of the Geul river. Here through fields of agriculture (with many wild flowers) and along some woods I had a hot walk (30 degrees Celsius) over the Margraten area (also via an old Roman way) and along a stone quarry (I, II).
  In Cadier en Keer I hoped to find a restaurant, but everything was closed (because it was Monday). However, a supermarket (Aldi) sold a lot of drinks. And I did need quite a lot! The Savelsbosch is parallel to the Meuse river. Here a nice trail was on top with a lot of shadow, but the connecting pathes (to and from) were very, very hot (I). At some points I had a nice view to the Pietersberg at the other side of the Meuse, near Maastricht.
  In Eijsden I visited the Edah supermarket for some beer. After waiting 30 minutes at the Railway Station for the train it was announced that there was a delay of 30 minutes (which became 40 minutes). However, in Maastricht I had a good connection back to Eindhoven. But I had to run for it, while being handycapped with some blisters. Well, it had been a great day.
• Visé (Belgium)

The Booklet

Some related links

Hiking in The Netherlands

Overview Long Distance Pathes (LAW) (Dutch)

Wandelnet (Dutch)

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