The Orange-Nassau Path - from Chaam to Gilze
By Charlotte Michielsen
A busy job, adolescent kids and a full agenda.....quality time with girlfriends sometimes really slips away. I thought this has to change. And so a few weeks ago I suggested going for a walk together. Ideal for catching up. And not unimportantly, healthy too and suitable for our bodies that, as we approach 50, are getting rustier. So we set off. Not just any stroll. No, we have chosen The Orange-Nassau Path: a multi-day walking route, divided into 8 stages of about 20 km. Every month we walk one and end with a well-earned lunch. We chat, feel the connection and enjoy the beautiful landscape passing by. A win-win for everyone!
Eight of Chaam
Our first stage starts at the church in Chaam (pronounced 'Kaam' or in Brabant dialect 'Koam'). This cosy Brabant village is internationally known for the cycling race 'De Acht van Chaam'. For cycling fans: next to the church is 'Het Chaamsche Wapen': a café with a cosy terrace where the museum of 'the Eight' is also located.
A little wine for home
From the church, we walk a little north along the main Bredaseweg before leaving the village via the Elsakkerpad. Via grassy paths along meadows, we arrive at Wijngaard Dassemus. We like a glass of wine. So we drop in to take a bottle home. The shop is open every day. You can also walk into the vineyard to see how the grapes are doing.
On an adventure between the cows
The route takes us further along various grassy paths, through a wooded area and sometimes along some fields again until we reach the Broekse Beek. The stream valley landscape here is beautiful, but also very swampy in wet weather. So wear waterproof walking shoes! Between Junctions 61 and 62, we walk through a meadow with curious cows. Hilarity all round! We cross the stream and continue walking until we reach the small hamlet of Snijders-Chaam. Here we marvel at the centuries-old farmhouses. We would like to live there too.
Valkenberg estate
We leave the pretty cottages behind and walk into the woods of the centuries-old Valkenberg estate. Hidden in the woods, near junction 65 - you have to search a bit, is the manor house that belonged to a knight in the 15th century. Along the stately avenues are trees with a mighty aura. We are silent for a moment. To then giggle and fantasise about what it must have been like to be transported here a few centuries ago, in a carriage along the stately avenues to our prince on the white horse.
Kabouterbos
A buzzard flying low overhead wakes us from our dream. And we step briskly on through the woods. Where once lay sand drifts and wet heathland, Chaamse Bossen forestry was created between 1900 and 1934. We are surprised by a varied spectacle of pines, oaks, chestnuts and beeches and impressive fens. Only to end up in a gnome forest after crossing Gilzerweg. A fun route for families with children has been set out here. We didn't see any real gnomes. We did see mushrooms, however. Then again, it is the season for them.
"We chat, feel the connection and enjoy the beautiful landscape that passes us by. A win-win for everyone!"
Geuzenpad
Our hips are starting to feel a bit stiff. We have already completed 14 km. Time for coffee. Fortunately, De Steengroeve soon appears. A cosy tavern with mini-golf course. After our break, we walk up the Geuzenpad: a long sandy path along which Protestants from Gilze used to walk to the Ledevaert church in Chaam.
Ossengoor
After some time, we pass a beautiful fen called Ossengoor, which has long been used as a meadow, but has now been flooded for years. We decide to take a break and enjoy this beautiful picture. Who see water birds, dragonflies and damselflies, which feel quite at home here. And imagine that when there is a strong frost, this lake freezes over completely and there is plenty of skating going on.
On to Gilze
Via the Geuzenpad, we leave the forests and walk into a vast field. Ahead of us, we can already see the church of Gilze appearing. We smell the stable and pick up the pace, which has slackened somewhat. Because we are hungry after this beautiful walk. Via the Laarspad we arrive in Gilze and end our 1st stage at restaurant De Huyskamer. Here we toast our achievement with a drink. We unanimously agree: this tastes like more. So we immediately mark the next hiking day in our diaries. Then we will walk from Gilze to Baarle-Nassau!
Fancy going for a walk too?
Charlotte walked stage 1 of the Oranje-Nassau Path, a route from Chaam to Gilze, of 18.1 km. The entire trail has eight stages and covers 136 kilometres.
You will find useful descriptions and maps in the route guide of the Orange-Nassau Path. It is available in the Wandelshop of wandel.nl, at the information points in the region and at Thuis Hapers in Gilze. You follow the hiking nodes via the green-yellow directions on posts, fences, etc..
Staying longer in de Baronie?
Stay overnight and enjoy this beautiful and versatile region even longer. In de Baronie you will find a wide choice of hospitable places to stay for a night or for a longer stay. Will you choose a cosy bed and breakfast, a luxury hotel or do you prefer camping? It's all possible here. Our lodging addresses are equipped with all conveniences, take a look at the overview. Enjoy in De Baronie.
Tips
– Wear waterproof walking boots
– Download the route on the Sporenzoeker app. It’s a really useful aid where the junction markers aren’t always clear. Please note: the access code is on the inside cover of the walking guide, which you can purchase.
– Plan a few dates in advance for the stages you’ll be walking together. That way, everyone stays motivated.