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Gerda Hoeve Ice Cream Farm – Forest Path loop from Essen

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

Gerda Hoeve Ice Cream Farm – Forest Path loop from Essen

Hard

3.8

(20)

hikers

Gerda Hoeve Ice Cream Farm – Forest Path loop from Essen

05:03

20.0km

20m

Hiking

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: May 8, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

818 m

St. Vincent de Paul Church Horendonk

Highlight • Religious Site

1.54 km

Roosendaal peat canal

Highlight • River

A remarkable historical relic of centuries-old history in the region.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

1.80 km

The Gerda Hoeve is the perfect place to replenish your energy with delicious ice cream. It's definitely worth slowing down and seeking out various traditional Dutch cattle breeds, including the Lakenvelder, Witterik, and Brandrode.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

8.22 km

Forest Path

Highlight • Trail

12.2 km

Owl Wood Carving

Highlight • Structure

12.7 km

Strontpaal

Highlight • Monument

The border area has always attracted many smugglers in the past. During the First World War, when Belgium was occupied by the Germans, the Netherlands remained neutral. Smuggling was at its peak at that time. The most famous smuggler in those days was Klaveren Vrouwke, the nickname for Geert Schrauwen from Rucphen. He was known for his many tricks and disguises with which he often put customs and military on the wrong track. However, on 5 May 1916, Schrauwen did not escape his fate and was shot dead near border post 238A, known as the ‘shit post’. The memory of Klaveren Vrouwke has remained alive in the region afterwards through the many anecdotes that were told about him. The nickname of the post is said to be due to the fact that customs officers relieved themselves here during the war.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

12.7 km

Strontpaal and Klaveren Vrouwke Border Post

Highlight • Historical Site

At this point you cross the border between the Netherlands and Belgium. Next to the house is a pole with a cross and the letters KV carved into it. This pole is known as the shit pole, because the customs officers relieved themselves behind this pole.

KV stands for Klaveren Vrouwke. This is an alias of Geert Schrauwen from St. Willebrord. A master smuggler who was shot dead by the border guard at this location in 1916. He got his nickname from his special way of working. Geert dressed up while smuggling. Often as a woman, because women were not frisked at that time.

The shooting of a smuggler was remarkable. Most small-time smugglers got away with a fine and possibly a night in jail. Major smuggling operations sometimes resulted in a prison sentence of several months. But Geert Schrauwen was no angel. Before his smuggling activities he had already been involved in a robbery, and he was also suspected of a murder in Rijsbergen. Before he was shot dead, the Klaveren Vrouwke was banned from the Netherlands because he allegedly stole an army uniform.

Source: fietsnetwerk.nl/knooppunt/strontpaal-essen

Translated by Google •

Tip by

20.0 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

7.41 km

5.76 km

3.78 km

3.07 km

Surfaces

7.23 km

5.50 km

4.16 km

2.63 km

494 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Saturday 27 June

27°C

19°C

15 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 17.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

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Gerda Hoeve Ice Cream Farm – Forest Path loop from Essen

St. Vincent de Paul Church Horendonk

Roosendaal peat canal

Belgium