Holiday apartment in Mariahout: trails, woodland and history

Mariahout combines religious buildings, traces of history and varied trails with a distinctive woodland and waterscape. At its centre is the Onze Lieve Vrouw van Lourdes complex. In addition, there are open-air performances at the Openluchttheater, hiking trails through different types of landscape and routes that make Mariahout's history accessible in a special way. So, alongside a holiday apartment in Mariahout, you will also find many starting points for planning holiday days in different ways.

Church, Lourdes Grotto and open-air theatre

The Onze Lieve Vrouw van Lourdes complex comprises the Roman Catholic O.L. Vrouw van Lourdes church, designed by Tilburg architect Phil Donders, a processional woodland with statues, a cross and a presbytery. The Lourdes Grotto in Mariahout was built in 1934 and consecrated on 30 May 1935. A new Lourdes Grotto in Mariahout was solemnly consecrated on 30 May 1999 after being rebuilt. In addition, the Openluchttheater Mariahout presents open-air performances in spring and summer.

Woodland landscape and trails by the water

The Mariahoutse Bossen, also known as the Lieshoutse Bossen and Lieshoutse Heide, are an elongated woodland area of 158 hectares immediately north of Mariahout. The area enclosed by the Ommetje Zuid - Mariahout provides a different landscape impression. It covers 68 hectares and is characterised by small-scale features such as pollard willows and small wooded banks, as well as a mix of arable and grazing land. Many features from the last drainage and land-reclamation period around 1920 are also visible there.

Mariahout's hiking network comprises 16 optimised hiking trails. The Torrevenroute is a hiking route themed around water and runs along peat lakes, ponds and ditches. It passes Haverven, where there is a birdwatching hut. Another hike leads to the observation tower at Keelgras. This means that both open landscape features and bodies of water, woodland structures and traces of history are central to the trails.

Routes for active and historical discoveries

The Ommetje Mariahout Zuid offers two variants: a boot trail and a path for people with disabilities. The Mariahout MTB route has only slight changes in elevation, is 95 percent unpaved and runs over single tracks, forest floor and natural paths. Those who want to learn about Mariahout through its development can follow the “Mariahout Pioniersdorp” historical route. It passes through the built-up area of Mariahout; 18 signs with QR codes lead to 70 historical stories that can be read online.

When choosing a location for a holiday apartment in Mariahout, you can therefore tailor your stay to your personal interests: religious buildings and local history, open-air performances, woodland and waterscapes, classic hiking trails or a predominantly unpaved MTB route each offer a different focus. The different types of trails provide guidance when you want to plan your days with a mix of exercise, landscape observation and historical impressions.

More places for planning your trip

More places for planning your trip: Lieshout, Aarle Rixtel, Beek En Donk

To the higher-level travel overview: Laarbeek.