Scars from fearful days. Lus Arendonk.

Freedom and Happiness.

One can only be happy when one is free. Thinking, speaking, and acting as we please are core values that define freedom.

The right to make one’s own choices regarding religion, freedom of expression, and association are fundamental freedoms. History has taught us that, unfortunately, there are always people and groups who believe they can deprive others of these rights. Nazi Germany is the most recent example of this in our region. Through a show of force and the violence of war, large parts of Europe were occupied, including Belgium and the Netherlands.

In late September and early October 1944, the region around Arendonk and Reusel was liberated from the yoke of Nazi Germany. It was accompanied by fierce fighting, casualties, and destruction, but freedom was regained. In 2024—eighty years after the liberation—an initiative was launched to link some of the events of that time with a cycling route that crosses the border between Belgium and the Netherlands. You are free to cross that border or not, free to look, and free to listen to the events from that turbulent period. With appreciation and awe for all those who regained freedom through a courageous struggle, we can now enjoy the peaceful Kempen landscape and pause for a moment to reflect on “Scars of Fearful Days.”

Have fun cycling, free and happy.

Arendonk-Reusel

Comments.

You will be alerted to a scar by an audio signal. There will always be a post nearby with a QR code for the route attached to it. You can also access the information about the scar in question by scanning the code with a standard QR scanner.
 
Please follow traffic rules. The organizer is not responsible for any accidents that may occur.

In case of problems:

Please report them via email: info@aweg.be

📏 43 km
⭐ Easy
📍 Litteken 20, War Memorial, Vrijheid (29), Arendonk
🏁 Litteken 20, War Memorial, Vrijheid (29), Arendonk