To this day, Gilze-Rijen remains inextricably linked to the world of aviation and aircraft. Immediately after the German invasion in May 1940, the existing airfield was expanded to Fliegerhorst Gilze-Rijen, one of the largest airfields in Europe. This military installation had a significant impact on the local population. Think of Allied bombings and forced employment of residents for repair work. During this tour, you will gain extensive insights into these events and hear fascinating stories ranging from the great luck of a resistance fighter to the story of a benevolent German citizen.

The Liberation Route Brabant tells the story of the liberation, but also shows what the Second World War meant for ordinary people in Brabant. Eight cycling routes, spread across North Brabant, lead you past Brabant Reminders stories, listening columns of the Liberation Route Europe, monuments and museums, which together make the impact of the war on North Brabant visible.

About this route
This cycling route was created by VisitBrabant Routebureau in collaboration with Brabant Herdenkt. The route is set out via the Brabant cycle junction system. Easily cycle from one numbered junction to another. Arrows show you the way between the nodes. Is there something wrong with the signposting of the route? Please let us know via visitbrabant.com/meldpunt. You can also call 0800-4050050 (free of charge).

Roadmap
View this route page on your phone or download the GPX file. Do you want to go out with a paper map? You can order these in our webshop.

Cycle in the footsteps of the liberators
The Liberation Route Brabant tells the story of the liberation, but also shows what the Second World War meant for ordinary people in Brabant. Check out all other Liberation cycling and walking routes here.