Witrijt to Broekhoven via Cartierheide and De Tasbroeke

You’ll be walking through the sandy, pine-forested “Kempen” border region of North Brabant, then out onto open heath and fenland in the Cartierheide, before threading past small farms and hamlets toward Broekhoven. The whole day is essentially flat (around 0 m / 0 ft of meaningful climbing), so the effort comes from distance and underfoot conditions rather than hills: expect long stretches of forest track, heathland sand, and occasional damp patches near streams and fens.

For planning purposes, treat this as ~18 km / ~11.2 mi. On the official long-distance route network, the comparable stage is listed around 18.5 km / 11.5 mi. ([wandelnet.nl](https://www.wandelnet.nl/grenslandpad?utm_source=openai))

Getting to the start (Witrijt) and identifying the start point **Nearest practical start landmark/address:** the Witrijt hamlet is small, but a very common, easy-to-find trailhead base is **Natuurpoort / De Negende Zaeligheyt (TerSpegelt area), Witrijtseweg 15, 5571 XJ Bergeijk**—often used as a start for Witrijt-area walks and has parking and facilities nearby. ([fietsknoop.nl](https://www.fietsknoop.nl/wandelroute/22946705/witrijt-de-kempen-13-9-km?utm_source=openai))

By car - Aim for Witrijtseweg 15, 5571 XJ Bergeijk (De Negende Zaeligheyt / TerSpegelt). Parking is typically straightforward in this recreation-area setting. ([fietsknoop.nl](https://www.fietsknoop.nl/wandelroute/22946705/witrijt-de-kempen-13-9-km?utm_source=openai))

By public transport - Witrijt itself has limited direct transit. A common approach is to bus to Weebosch and walk the last stretch into Witrijt (roughly 1.5 km / 0.9 mi to the hamlet area, depending on your exact stop and start). ([wandelweb.nl](https://wandelweb.nl/losse-routes/witrijt-bus-weebosch-15km-broekhoven?utm_source=openai)) - If you’re coming via a larger hub, Eersel has frequent regional bus connections (e.g., services shown at Busstation Eersel), and you can link onward by local bus/taxi or plan a longer approach walk. ([drgl.nl](https://www.drgl.nl/stop/NL%3AS%3A64310010?utm_source=openai)) (For exact departure times on your date, check the current timetable close to travel day.)

What the walk feels like, section by section

0–4 km (0–2.5 mi): Witrijt’s forests and estate lanes The opening kilometers are classic Kempen woodland: straight, sandy forest roads and quieter side paths under Scots pine with patches of birch and oak. This area has a strong “estate landscape” feel—long, ruler-straight lanes are a hallmark of historic land management here, and you’ll notice how the forest is stitched together by these corridors.

Underfoot is usually easy-going, but after wet weather the sand can turn into soft, churned sections and the low spots can hold water. Even on a flat route, that can slow your pace.

Wildlife is often subtle at first: listen for woodpeckers in the pines and watch the track edges for deer prints in softer sand.

4–10 km (2.5–6.2 mi): Cartierheide—heath, fens, and the Dalems Stroompje You’ll transition into the **Cartierheide**, a protected heathland-and-wetland mosaic close to the Belgian border, wedged between the **Eersel–Postel road** and the **A67/E34 motorway corridor**. ([visitbrabant.com](https://www.visitbrabant.com/en/locations/1889442982/cartierheide?utm_source=openai)) This is where the scenery opens up: low heather, scattered birch, and reflective pools/fens that can feel surprisingly wild for such a low-lying landscape.

Key natural features to look for: - Fens and wet heath: these are nutrient-poor, acidic wetlands—great for specialized plants. - Dalems Stroompje (Dalem’s Stream): the reserve is crossed by this stream, and parts