Drenthe Pad - Hiking in Holland

I like alliteration, which is why I used 'hiking' and 'Holland'. But, technically, we are not in Holland right now. We are in the Netherlands. If you'd like to know the difference, besides the simple fact that Holland refers to the provinces of North and South Holland and that the Netherlands means the entire country - check out this funny video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eE_IUPInEuc&feature=youtu.be

Poffertjes!

Right now, we are circumnavigating the province of Drenthe, which is in the north eastern part of the country. The Drenthe Pad is a hiking trail of some 325 KM. And it might well be one of the best kept secrets in the world of hiking.

The trail is well marked, in most places. A yellow/red symbol is nailed to posts or painted on trees almost everywhere. But the comprehensive trail guide and map issued by NIVON: (http://www.nivon.nl/wandelen/detailpad.aspWandelpadID=28&GroepsID=180&GidsenID=10)
is a valuable addition. As far as I know this guide is only in Dutch but with the map and the signs anyone should be able to follow the trail. The terrain is relatively flat which makes it easy. And it is very varied: from ancient, sleepy villages you enter a quiet forest, cross a sandy path and walk along the moors (fields of heather which will bloom in August), then along a farm field, back into the woods. On the next heather field you might encounter a large flock of sheep, with or without a real live shepherd and his dogs.

These long horned cows were on our path!

In a country of 33,889 square kilometers of land (13,084 square miles) and a population of nearly 17 million, the Netherlands is among the most densely populated countries of the world. However, on this trail we hiked for the last two days without seeing a soul until hours after we started. Yesterday, we saw two people all days. It is rare in this country not to see a church spire, or power lines or hear traffic noise. On this trail, there is complete silence except for the singing of many different types of birds. It is probably one of the few areas in the country where you can still get completely lost and wander.

Today, just when I said "We haven't seen any kind of wildlife!" a large deer slowly crossed the path. We heard woodpeckers and met a large flock of curious sheep with their newborn lambs.

For 19.- p.p. this was our home for the night.

Usually most hiking trails here have an abundance of benches, picnic tables or little restaurants with a patio. In Drenthe you can walk 20 KM and not see one. But the wild swans on the lakes make up for not being able to order a coffee.

Traditional road sign

We have walked from town to town and stayed in either B&B's or local hotels. We'll share more information with you about accommodations in a next issue. For now, we'd like to recommend that you start planning your next Hiking Holiday in Holland!

Surrounded by sheep.