We start this stage of 25.7 km along the watermills of the Dommel on the northern side of the city of Eindhoven. Unfortunately, this is the stage of the disappeared watermills, as some have not withstood the test of time. Fortunately, we still have an additional beautiful specimen on offer. So tie your shoelaces tightly, and then we can get started!

The Dommel Path
The Dommel Path takes you over a length of 125 kilometers from Peer to ’s-Hertogenbosch and back. With this 6-day hiking route averaging 20 kilometers per day, you follow the history of the watermills with the flow from south to north. And upstream from north to south the history of nature at the Dommel. Check out the entire Dommel Path at visitbrabant.com/dommelpad.

The Pearls of the Dommel
A hundred years ago, more than fifty watermills stood in the catchment area of the Dommel River. From the source in Peer to the mouth in Den Bosch, the mills went about their work. The water flowed, the mills turned, and with the energy generated, grain was ground into flour, oil was pressed from rapeseed, or tannin was extracted from oak bark. This tannin was used in leather tanning. By following this hiking route along the Dommel, you can see with your own eyes what remains of the watermills from the past. Furthermore, the Dommel winds through a beautiful piece of Belgium and the Netherlands. Boundlessly beautiful!

Crossing Points
The mills were often built at narrow points in the river where the gradient was a bit steeper. The water of the Dommel flowed there with strength, allowing the watermills to turn well. And because the mills formed a sort of dam in the water, they were also suitable places for people to cross the river.

String of Pearls
In order to work effectively, the watermills from a century ago could not be too close together. Old maps also show that the mills formed a sort of string of pearls along the banks of the river. For a long time, the mills were our only major energy suppliers and thus of great importance to the economy of that time. Therefore, they often belonged to fortified farms, castles, or defensive structures.

Impact on the Landscape
Since the water was retained at the mills with the help of dams, the area upstream became wetter. This effect sometimes extended for up to two kilometers. Over the years, these retention areas developed “watermill landscapes” with wet, peaty soils and the corresponding vegetation that you can still see today. Ready to see all of this? Let’s go!

De Groote Heide
The Dommel Path runs right through De Groote Heide, a diverse nature border park of six thousand hectares, which stretches from Eindhoven in the Netherlands to Pelt in Belgium. The landscape along the Dommel has been shaped by a string of watermills that retain the water. Discover the regional stories and all the beauties this border region has to offer at degrooteheide.eu.

About this Route
The Dommel Path is signposted via the hiking junction point system in Brabant and Belgium/Flanders. Follow the signs and simply hike from one numbered junction to another. Arrows will guide you to the number you chose. Is something wrong with the route's signage? Let us know at visitbrabant.com/meldpunt. You can also call for free at 0800-4050050.