Dorshout to Carolus Simplexplein via Bobbenagelseweg and De Hanenberg

This is a long, low-relief North Brabant walk of roughly 56 km / 35 miles with essentially 0 m / 0 ft of net elevation gain—the kind of day where distance, surface, and wind matter far more than hills. You’ll move through a classic Dutch patchwork of canals, small rivers, reclaimed wet meadows, farm lanes, and village greens, linking the rural edge of Veghel (Dorshout) to the village core of Netersel at Carolus Simplexplein (postcode area 5534 AK). (de.wikipedia.org)

Getting to the start (Dorshout, near Veghel – Meierijstad)

Nearest known place to aim for: the hamlet/area of Dorshout on the northwest side of Veghel (municipality Meierijstad), close to the Aa and not far from the Zuid-Willemsvaart canal area. Dorshout is a recognized locality within Veghel. (de.wikipedia.org)

• By car: Navigate (in HiiKER or your car GPS) to Dorshout, Veghel (Meierijstad), North Brabant and then choose a safe, legal parking spot on public streets near the hamlet edge (avoid blocking farm access). Dorshout sits in a working rural/industrial fringe, so be mindful of truck traffic near business areas. (de.wikipedia.org)
  
• By public transport: The practical rail hub is typically ’s‑Hertogenbosch (Den Bosch) or Eindhoven, then bus connections toward Veghel; from central Veghel you’ll likely need a short local bus hop and/or a walk to reach the Dorshout area. (Exact bus lines change—check current schedules before you go.)

Finish point: Carolus Simplexplein, Netersel (village square area; addresses here use 5534 AK / 5534 AJ postcodes). This is a clear end-point for pickup or onward travel. (waze.com)

You’ll want to plan this as an all-day outing (or a fastpack/ultra-style day) even though it’s “easy” on paper. The main challenges are: - Foot fatigue from hard surfaces (farm asphalt, brick, compacted paths) - Exposure to wind and weather across open fields - Navigation at junction-dense farm country (use HiiKER and keep an eye on frequent turns)

Expect mostly flat walking with occasional dike-like rises, bridge ramps, and underpasses that don’t add meaningful elevation but do add up in effort over 56 km.

What the landscape feels like (and why it’s historically interesting)

The first part around Dorshout carries the signature of the Aa river corridor: historically parcelled wet meadows and a long agricultural story. Dorshout is described as one of Veghel’s older parts, with a rural structure of large farmsteads; sources also note historic farms such as the Cruysbroedershoeve (15th century) and the area’s long relationship with wet grasslands along the Aa. (de.wikipedia.org)

As you progress west/southwest across North Brabant, you’re walking through a region shaped by: - Land reclamation and field parceling (straight boundaries, drainage, poplar-lined lanes historically) - Canals and engineered waterways (including the broader Veghel area’s connection to the Zuid‑Willemsvaart corridor) - Village “brinks” / greens—Netersel’s Carolus Simplexplein functions as a traditional village core space. (de.wikipedia.org)

Route character by segments (approximate)

Because the named route references Bobbenagelseweg and De Hanenberg, it helps to think of the day as a chain of recognizable corridors rather than one continuous “trail.”

0–18 km / 0–11 miles: Dorshout → open farmland and water corridors

You start in the Veghel/Dorshout countryside: expect quiet lanes, drainage ditches, and long sightlines. In damp seasons, the edges of paths can be soft; in dry spells, it’s fast walking but exposed.

What to look for - Waterfowl (ducks, geese) and small birds along ditches and the Aa corridor - **Raptors