Hiking
Pack a backpack, put on some sturdy shoes and get some fresh air! Although the best way to explore De Alde Feanen National Park is by boat, it’s also a great place to go walking, especially on the east side. During a walk, you can spot all kinds of birds, maybe even a sea eagle!
De Alde Feanen National Park Visitor Centre is a good starting point for your walk, as are the tourist offices in the villages of Grou and Earnewâld. These places are easy to reach by car, and there is plenty of parking. Sturdy footwear is recommended for a walk in De Alde Feanen, as the tracks can be quite wet in places. Dogs are allowed, but they must be kept on a leash.
Walks
- The Wikelslân Walk: 3 or 5 kilometres; map is available at the visitor centre in Earnewâld or at www.earnewald-routes.nl .
- The Dichterspaad (The Poet’s Walk): 8, 17 or 25 kilometres, leads past 18 panels with poems around Oudega; map available at www.dichterspaad.nl.
- The Paad troch Grou Walk: takes you past 21 historic buildings in the village of Grou; map available at bookstore Bruna and the VVV in Grou.
For more walks, go to www.earnewald-routes.nl or www.route.nl.
Accessibility for the disabled and wheelchair users
Although many walks are not easily accessible for the disabled, wheelchair users or prams, there are some attractive and suitable alternatives. From the visitor centre, it is possible to get to Jan Durkspolder via the cycle path alongside the Lytse Mar, where the bird hide is easily accessible. The hide has an elevated platform where wheelchair users can observe birds in peace and quiet.
In addition, there is a paved path for the disabled and wheelchair users in It Pettebosk, the educational forest. The visitor centre is easily accessible for wheelchair users.
Tourist Switch Point
In De Alde Feanen, there are several Tourist Switch Points (Toeristisch Overstap Punten – TOPs) where you can park and set out on a walk. An information board shows recreational opportunities. These TOPs are shown on the map.