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  • A cycle ride following the story of the ‘ Zwarte Kaat ’
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Zwarte Kaat

(42.5 km)
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For generations, the border region of De Kempen in Brabant has been home to the thrilling tale of Zwarte Kaat, the ‘Witch of Hellenende’. She once terrorised De Kempen ; now she is hidden away in the beautiful countryside. This route takes you through her fascinating history. Cycle a 36-kilometre route. At junction 02, you can park your bike for a short 6-kilometre walk to the witch’s tree and back. 

She used to run amok throug de Kempen ; now she lies hidden away in the Kempen countryside. If you look closely, you’ll find traces of her past. Go on a hunt yourself, discover her history and come face to face with her greed for wealth, prosperity, happiness and bliss.

The story of Zwarte Kaat
Zwarte Kaat, ‘the witch of…’

For generations, the border region of De Kempen in Brabant has been home to the thrilling tale of Zwarte Kaat, the ‘Witch of Hellenende’. She once terrorised De Kempen ; now she is hidden away in the beautiful countryside. This route takes you through her fascinating history. Cycle a 36-kilometre route. At junction 02, you can park your bike for a short 6-kilometre walk to the witch’s tree and back. 

She used to run amok throug de Kempen ; now she lies hidden away in the Kempen countryside. If you look closely, you’ll find traces of her past. Go on a hunt yourself, discover her history and come face to face with her greed for wealth, prosperity, happiness and bliss.

The story of Zwarte Kaat
Zwarte Kaat, ‘the witch of Hellenende’, plundered farms and churches with her accomplices in the late sixteenth century. Her gang also ambushed travelling merchants. No one in this region was safe. With her raven-black hair and ugly, crooked nose, she left a trail of destruction in her wake. 

Whatever she managed to steal was devoured together with her husband Bruno and the gang members. It gave them the strength, time and again, to go on successful night-time raids. The gang’s plans were often hatched in the strictest secrecy at the watermill, near Hoeve Ten Vorsel farm. The historic beech-lined lane dichtbij the farm still stands as a silent witness to all those raids.

One day, Zwarte Kaat crept along the beech-lined path to Hoeve Ten Vorsel , deep in the woods, to abduct a special newborn. The baby, Thomas, had been born ‘with the veil’. With the amniotic membrane still covering his head – the ‘helmet’ – the little boy had come into the world. Because of this, Thomas would be able to see into the future and bring good luck. Whoever baptised him within a day would have luck on their side. And so Zwarte Kaat snatched the lucky child Thomas and made off. That night, she baptised the child as her own son at Postel Abbey.

Thomas Ten Vorsel turned out to be a blessing. ‘ Zwarte Kaat ’ was richly rewarded for the duration of two times seven holy years. Then the tide turned, heralding the end of her bliss. She no longer needed Thomas, as he no longer brought her any luck. Fortunately, Thomas was able to flee to Postel Abbey, just in time to warn the kind monks of his ‘mother’s’ brutal plans for a raid.

Meanwhile, Zwarte Kaat visited the abbey, ostensibly to have a pint, unaware that an alerted garrison was now on high alert. She walked straight into the trap. The planned theft of valuable gold coins failed. All the gang members were hanged beneath the abbey gate. Miraculously, Zwarte Kaat managed to escape and sought refuge under a fallen tree. As if the devil were at work, the surrounding trees were struck down by lightning.

What remained was one large circle with Zwarte Kaat at its centre. Betrayed by the fire, the witch was eventually captured, beheaded and buried far beyond the village’s sacred ground; without a cross, on the heath beneath a twig. The barley brew then flowed freely. After all, everyone had been rid of the black evil for good. Or so they thought.

Zwarte Kaat lives on! Her former headquarters at ‘t Helleneind in Bladel is living proof of this. The witch of Hellenende has never really gone away. She is deeply rooted in the Kempen forests. It is said that she lies buried beneath the gnarled Witches’ Tree – which was once just a tiny twig – on the landgoed Ten Vorsel estate.

Let yourself be swept away by Zwarte Kaat and enjoy her legend, which has been told in de Kempen for generations. But beware of her cunning, sweet temptations. After all, she is and always will be merciless and has many faces. You simply must experience her history: rugged and without a shred of remorse. According to those in the know, she has much more up her sleeve. Pause, listen and shiver. Feel her breath in the wind, hear her rasping voice in the woods, savour her natural essence, lose yourself and enjoy her conquests!

Need a moment to recover from the thrill?
Savour the excitement afterwards with the delicious Zwarte Kaat treats, developed by various entrepreneurs from the Kempen. How about Zwarte Kaat beer, cheese, ice cream or chocolate? 

Here’s what you’ll see

Description

De Achterste Hoef Leisure Park (Stop 1 – Starting point)

Achterste Hoef Leisure Park
Troprijt 10
5531 NA  Bladel
Navigate to the starting point
De Achterste Hoef Leisure Park Glamping a de Achterste Hoef

The ‘ Zwarte Kaat’ cycle route takes you to the places where the story of the Zwarte Kaat gang unfolded: Postel Abbey, Hellenend. Are you brave enough…?!

De Achterste Hoef Leisure Park (Stop 14 – End point)

Achterste Hoef Leisure Park
Troprijt 10
5531 NA  Bladel
Navigate to the destination
De Achterste Hoef Leisure Park Glamping a de Achterste Hoef
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  • 16
  • 22
  • 17
  • 15
  • 91
  • 14
  • 78
  • 97
  • 71
  • 13

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