Glamping rental Hooge Mierde - 1 glamping

Hooge Mierde: The Dutch Village You Never Knew You Needed

Tucked away in the southern Netherlands, Hooge Mierde is one of those rare places that seems to exist in a world of its own. This small village sits quietly in the municipality of Reusel-De Mierden, in the province of North Brabant, roughly 111 kilometres south of Amsterdam and just a stone's throw from the Belgian border. With a population of around 1,310 people, it feels more like a well-kept secret than a tourist destination. And that is exactly why it deserves your attention.

The name itself tells a story. First mentioned around the year 1200 as "Myrtha," Hooge Mierde translates to "settlement near the swamp." The prefix "Hooge" (meaning high) was later added to distinguish it from its neighbouring sister village, Lage Mierde. This agricultural village developed during the Middle Ages on the sandy Campine grounds, and its deep roots in the landscape are still visible today.

Why Hooge Mierde Belongs on Your Holiday Shortlist

If you are looking for a holiday that strips away the noise, Hooge Mierde offers something increasingly hard to find: genuine peace and space. Here are some compelling reasons why booking a rental in this part of North Brabant might be one of the smartest travel decisions you make this year.

• The Kempen region of North Brabant is known for its tranquility, featuring diverse natural areas such as fens, heathlands, and forests. The flat terrain is ideal for leisurely walking and cycling.
• Hooge Mierde sits in a cross-border landscape. The Belgian border is practically next door, giving you effortless access to two countries during a single trip.
• Eindhoven Airport is only about 18 kilometres to the northeast, making this village remarkably accessible for international visitors despite its rural setting.
• The surrounding area is rich in both nature and culture. From ancient abbey grounds to rare raised bogs, there is a surprising depth to what this corner of the Netherlands has to offer.
• The Brabant Kempen region offers around 450 kilometres of connected cycling trails and a network of numbered junction hubs that extend across the Dutch-Belgian border.

A Church Tower That Outlived Its Own Church

One of the most intriguing landmarks in Hooge Mierde is the Catholic St. Jan Evangelist Church, built between 1922 and 1923 in expressionist style. What makes it remarkable is that while the church itself dates from the early twentieth century, its tower originates from the 15th century. It is a fascinating architectural contrast: a medieval tower rising from a modernist shell. Nearby Lage Mierde features the Sint-Stephanus Church, originally dating from the fifteenth century as well, adding further historical depth to this compact area.

Hidden Highlights Most Visitors Miss

Beyond its quiet streets and agricultural heritage, Hooge Mierde and its surroundings harbour some genuinely unexpected discoveries.

Landgoed De Utrecht

This vast estate of approximately 2,500 hectares lies partly within the municipality of Reusel-De Mierden and is the largest estate in North Brabant. Originally developed as a financial investment by the "De Utrecht" life insurance company starting in 1898, it was transformed from barren heathland into production forests and farmland. Today it is a richly varied landscape of pine forests, meandering streams, fens, and heathland. The estate is home to more than 130 breeding bird species. A highlight is the Flaestoren, a 24-metre-high observation tower offering sweeping views over the lakes De Flaes and Het Goor, with vistas extending all the way to Belgium.

Reuselse Moeren

Just south of the neighbouring village of Reusel lies one of the last remaining raised bog areas in the Netherlands. This 152-hectare nature reserve, managed by the Dutch State Forestry Service (Staatsbosbeheer), straddles the Dutch-Belgian border and is a remnant of what was once a much larger peat landscape. It is home to rare plant species including cross-leaved heath, sundew, and bog bilberry, as well as breeding birds like the bluethroat and Slavonian grebe. There is even a bird hide (vogelkijkhut) accessible on foot for those who want a closer look.

The "Little Paris" of Reusel

Here is a piece of trivia that few visitors expect. In the nearby Peelse Heide forest, an early twentieth-century forestry official, inspired by a trip to Paris, designed two circular forest plots and an avenue modelled after the Place de l'Etoile, the Place de la Concorde, and the Champs-Elysees. The result is a miniature Parisian layout hidden deep in a Dutch pine forest, visible on maps and delightful to stumble upon while walking.

The Death Wire Memorial

During World War I, the German occupiers of Belgium constructed a 332-kilometre electrified wire barrier along the Belgian-Dutch border to prevent movement between occupied Belgium and the neutral Netherlands. It claimed hundreds of lives. A replica of this "Dodendraad" (Death Wire) can be visited near Reusel, on the Belgian border, offering a sobering and little-known piece of European history right in the backyard of Hooge Mierde.

Five Things You Should Not Skip

When staying in Hooge Mierde, resist the urge to simply drive to bigger cities. The real magic is closer than you think. Here are five less obvious activities to consider.

1. Walk the Andreas Schotel Art Route on Landgoed De Utrecht. This 9.5-kilometre trail leads you through the forest past striking artworks inspired by the etchings of painter Andreas Schotel. In nearby Esbeek, you can also visit the small Andreas Schotel Museum to learn more about his work.

2. Cycle the cross-border junction network into Belgium. The region uses a numbered cycling junction system that seamlessly crosses into Belgian Flanders. You can plan routes that take you past Postel Abbey, a 12th-century Premonstratensian monastery known for its artisan cheese, abbey beer, medicinal herb garden, and a remarkable sense of tranquility within its walls.

3. Visit In Den Bockenreyder for a Brabant forest lunch. Located deep in the woods of Landgoed De Utrecht, this forest inn offers traditional Brabant dishes in a setting that feels wonderfully removed from everyday life. It is a popular stop for hikers and cyclists, and for good reason.

4. Try the Barefoot Path at Natuurpoort de Spartelvijver. This nature gateway in the Kempen border region is the starting point for walks through a green, history-rich landscape. The barefoot trail is a fun, tactile experience for both children and adults.

5. Climb the Flaestoren at sunset. The 24-metre observation tower on the De Utrecht estate stands among fens and heathland. At dusk, the views over De Flaes and the surrounding Kempen landscape are particularly striking. Keep an eye out for deer and, if you are lucky, wild boar in the area.

Getting There and Getting Around

Hooge Mierde is located at approximately 51.39°N, 5.13°E. The nearest major airport is Eindhoven Airport, about 18 kilometres to the northeast. From there, a car is the most convenient way to reach the village. For visitors arriving from Belgium, the border is just minutes away, making this an easy add-on for those exploring the Flemish Kempen region as well.

The flat terrain and extensive cycling node network make a bicycle the ideal way to explore the surrounding countryside. Many routes connect Hooge Mierde with Lage Mierde, Reusel, Hulsel, and the Belgian villages of Arendonk and Postel.

A Brabant Atmosphere You Will Not Find in a City

North Brabant is known for something the Dutch call "Bourgondisch" living: a generous, convivial approach to food, drink, and good company. In Hooge Mierde and its surroundings, this spirit is alive in local restaurants, forest inns, and the warm welcome you can expect from residents. The neighbouring village of Reusel is known for its village dialect, which is still spoken, and for its lively weekly market and annual town fair (Reusel Kermis), famous throughout the region.

There is also a UNESCO World Heritage site within reach. The Plantin-Moretus House-Workshops-Museum Complex in Antwerp, Belgium, is approximately 54 kilometres away and makes for a rewarding day trip for culture enthusiasts.

Book a Rental in Hooge Mierde

Whether you are planning a long weekend escape or a full week of exploration, Hooge Mierde offers an authentic base camp for experiencing the best of the Brabant Kempen. It is a place where the pace slows down, where nature is the main attraction, and where the border between two countries is just another trail to follow. Book a rental now and let Hooge Mierde surprise you.