The best dog-friendly hikes and walks in Het Hurkske

The current Laarbrug is an iron bridge on a concrete pedestal, placed in September 1947. Previously, there was a high concrete bridge, built in 1932, which was blown up on May 11, 1940, during the retreat of the Dutch army. The Wilhelminakanaal is the first Dutch canal to be named after a queen and dates from the beginning of the last century. Construction began in 1910, and in 1923 the entire Wilhelminakanaal was opened to shipping.

Kasteel Eyckenlust, also known as Eikenlust, is located in the green landscape of Beek en Donk on the river Aa. The moated castle has been connected for centuries to the history of the former lordship of Beek en Donk. The oldest surviving part of the complex is the gatehouse from around 1500, while the current main building largely dates from the 17th century. The castle and estate form a beautiful example of a Brabant country estate, with old avenues, forests, meadows, and water features. Due to its location in the Aa river valley, the area has retained a characteristic green and tranquil landscape, where nature and cultural history meet. Over the centuries, Eyckenlust changed owners several times and was associated with noble families and the development of Beek en Donk. Today, the castle is still privately inhabited, but the surrounding estate contributes significantly to the atmosphere of the area. A special place where the history of Brabant remains visible: an old castle, a stately estate, and a landscape shaped by centuries of habitation, agriculture, and nature

The name Laarbeek is a combination of the terms "Laar" (after the hamlet Het Laar, which forms the center of the municipality) and "beek" (a reference to the various streams that cross the municipality, such as the Aa and the Goorloop). The name Laarbeek also comprises parts of former municipality names: the "L" refers to Lieshout, "aar" to Aarle-Rixtel, and "beek" to Beek en Donk.

Laarbeek is a municipality in the Dutch province of North Brabant, located partly in the Meierij district of 's-Hertogenbosch and partly in the Peelrand region. The municipality was created on January 1, 1997, by merging the former municipalities of Aarle-Rixtel, Beek en Donk, and Lieshout (which also included the parish of Mariahout). The town hall is located in Beek en Donk. The municipality has 23,507 inhabitants (as of September 30, 2025). Laarbeek has an area of 55.86 km² (of which 0.21 km² is water). The municipality name 'Laarbeek' was chosen on March 8, 1994, from among many names. Residents of the former municipalities from which Laarbeek was formed could submit a new name for the municipality. For example, the municipality could now also have been called Groenewoud, Bextelhout, Grotendonk, Laarlanden, or Beek en Donk.

beautiful surroundings

Nice walk with views over the fields around Beek en Donk. Good to do with the dog for example. Can be wet after rainy weather.

See also the statue at the mill of Lieshout. The statue is a tribute from the association De Hollandsche Molen, to all voluntary millers of the Netherlands. Prince Claus was the patron of this association. The statue was placed in Lieshout at the request of mayor Van Hout. It represents a ‘mulder’ who operates the catch rope. His gaze is focused on the wings. The catch is the ‘brake’ of the mill. Willem Verbruggen, miller of the mill De Korenaar in Oirschot, was the model for the artwork, which was designed by artist Charles Vergouwen. (Source: https://www.landvandepeel.nl/nl/locaties/1379201422/een-standbeeld-voor-de-mulder)

The Wilhelmina Canal is an artificial waterway in the Dutch province of North Brabant. It connects the Zuid-Willemsvaart at Laarbeek with the Amer at Geertruidenberg and is 68 kilometres long. From Geertruidenberg to Dongen it is navigable for ships up to 1350 tonnes (class IV). The remaining part is narrower and accessible for ships up to 650 tonnes (class II). The canal is 25 to 42 metres wide and the average depth is 2.30 metres (shallowest point: 1.90 metres). There are five locks, of which the one at Lieshout is usually open.