Budel, Gastel, Soerendonk

Hop on your bike in Budel in Brabant to discover the natural surroundings! In a flash, you will cross the Belgian border on your way to Natuurpoort De Achelse Kluis. On the way, you ride through pleasant farmland surrounded by stately trees. Near the nature gate you will also find a historic monastery. The Achelse Kluis flows into the Groote Heide and the Leenderbos. You can overlook all these areas from watchtower De Achelse Kluis.

Near Soerendonk you will find a small castle called Castle Cranendonck. It is a villa built in the late 19th century. It was built on the spot where lord Engelbert van Horne had a castle built in the 13th century. Anna van Buuren's marriage to William of Orange brought it into royal possession. Still today, 'Baron van Cranendonck' is one of King Willem-Alexander's titles, despite the original castle being largely destroyed by the French in 1673. The contours of the original castle are visible in the reconstruction.