In the Rucphense Bossen, dense coniferous forests alternate with extensive sandy areas, deciduous woodland, heathland and grassland. This varied landscape shapes some of the discoveries to be made in Rucphen: numerous walking, cycling and mountain biking trails run through the area, along with a long horse-riding route. If you enjoy spending time outdoors, you can choose from various ways to get active. Route conditions can change, so check the latest information before setting out.
Paths that reveal different sides
At De Geheimen van Zegge, walking trails lead to village landmarks: the church, the rectory, the chapel and Café Kerkzicht, dating from 1880. There is also a village park, laid out in the rectory garden. Many scenes for the popular TV series at the time, Merijntje Gijzen, were filmed there in the early 1970s. A walk here therefore combines village history with a piece of television history.
De Geheimen van Zegge comprises three walking trails: one is 3.7 kilometres long, another 4.5 kilometres and the longest 10.5 kilometres. This makes it easy to choose a route by length. Information boards at the landmarks offer additional insights along the way.
The Natuurommetje De Achterhoek is more than 4.8 kilometres long. The walking trail passes a heathland field, farmland, wooded areas, ponds and pastures, and also runs through wooded areas. It also touches parts of the Natuur Netwerk Brabant, including the dry EVZ Posthoorn Noord and the wet EVZ Zwarte Sloot. The landscape features and the two differently designated corridors give this route its own focus.
The Sint Franciscusroute offers another connection between places. It passes through the five village centres of Rucphen, Schijf, Sprundel, St. Willebrord and Zegge, which belong to the Franciscusparochie. The route is fully marked with signposts bearing an appropriate image of Saint Francis.
Gardens, water and winter sports
Heemtuin Rucphen is a Brabant nature and landscape garden, as well as a special wildflower garden that blooms in every season. This gives the garden a different character from the paths through forest, heathland and open spaces. Here, you can experience nature not only as a landscape along a route, but also in the form of a cultivated garden.
The De Binnentuin sports and recreation area includes the De Watertuin swimming pool as a key feature. This green area lies between Rucphen, Sprundel and St. Willebrord. De Watertuin is a modern swimming pool with extensive facilities; its current offering may change, so it is worth checking the latest information before your visit.
Winter sports are another possible experience: SnowWorld Rucphen-Breda offers year-round skiing and snowboarding on indoor slopes, as well as activities in the snow park. This provides a striking contrast to the paths through the open landscape. Check the latest information about activities and booking conditions before your visit.
Mills and pilgrimage history
Mills in Rucphen and the surrounding villages also tell the story of the region’s architectural history. The present-day stone Heimolen, with four floors, was built in 1866, when a round stone tower replaced the octagonal structure. Molen De Hoop in Sprundel is a round windmill of the belt-mill type, built in 1840. Both mills offer tangible examples of how their forms and construction histories can differ.
Flour from a local mill is used to make Sprundel mill bread, also known as Wiendfleppen. As the production method may change, it is best to check in advance whether the bread is currently available if you specifically want to try it.
The Lourdes grotto in St. Willebrord was built in 1925, replacing a Lourdes grotto constructed elsewhere in 1885. The Stations of the Cross, which visitors to the grotto could follow, are also part of its pilgrimage history. The Processiepark by the church in St. Willebrord is of cultural and historical importance as an example of the development of Catholicism and the establishment of new pilgrimage sites in the interwar period.
In Zegge, the Onze Lieve Vrouw van Zegge pilgrimage chapel is a place of peace and reflection that attracts many visitors each year. Together with the history of the Lourdes grotto and the Processiepark, it reveals another cultural side of the area: pilgrimage sites and their significance are as much a part of the picture here as mills, gardens and paths.
Discover more destinations: Rucphen, Schijf, Zegge, Woensdrecht, Oirschot, Oisterwijk, Goirle, Veldhoven.
For the overview of the wider region: North Brabant.
