🌳🍄 Cycling + hike to mushroom paradise lusthof de Haek & Malta island 40km🍄🌳

*Important! You can only sign up by paying directly in advance Eur 5,- Meet up fee. See notifications for tickie.

Hoping to enjoy a kind of Indian summer fall, let's cycle through the beautiful Nieuwkoopse lakes area to fairytale forest lusthof de Haeck and island Malta and go for a small hike: +-30 to 35 km cycling (2,5 hours) and 5,5 km hiking (1,5 hour),

Gathering point is train station NS Bodegraven in front of the ticket machine at 10:45. After meeting and greeting we start cycling passing by the following highlights:

Cycling through the Meije & Nieuwkoop lakes (+-30 to 35 km)
We will cycle through a lovely route along the beautiful lakes of the Nieuwkoop Plassen and the meandering Meije river, in the middle of the Green Heart of the Netherlands. This environment has been inspiring artists for decades. You will find peace and quiet here, thanks to the vast open spaces with lots of green and water.

Underway we will pass a Tea House De Meije with a garden. The route is about 15 km to de Haek/Malta from the station, and 15 km back. The route back will be slightly different, taking a spectacular cycling path middle of the lakes!

* We can make the cycle ride longer by interest and cycle to Gouda (Goverwelle) for example.

Mushroom paradise Lusthof de Haek (4 km)
Lusthof de Haeck forest is one big mushroom paradise in the autumn! We will stroll through the narrow, winding path taking us past trees, colorful mosses, mushrooms and over bridges. There's so much growing here: mushrooms in all shapes, sizes and colors. It is impossible to predict where the mushrooms in this fairytale forest area grow exactly, so we have to keep our eyes peeled open, but we stay on the hiking trail.

It might also be possible to spot wildlife; such as roe deer and otters. These peaceful residents of the lakes and can pop up anywhere.

Birds small island Malta (1,5 km)
This island is a small forest area where we walk on narrow footpaths. A lot of birds find their refuge in this grove. We will walk on narrow footpaths and enjoy the small views of the Nieuwkoopse lakes. During this short route, we will come across two viewpoints, from where we can look out over the reed lands of the lakes. The grove is full of finches, woodpeckers and hares.

🍂🍂🍂October sun... Blanket the world with your gentle gold. Let the leaves feel your warmth one more time. Before they fall forever. So they'll remember. 🍂🍂🍂

Join this route and discover this precious peace of nature near the Nieuwkoopse lakes!

Notifications:

• Meet up contribution fee: Euro 5,- to be paid directly when signing by tickie:
  https://www.ing.nl/particulier/betaalverzoek/index.html?trxid=wBQNdbcg3A2QuoHJKurC5wSDXJnXtPfi
• We will cycle around the 15 km an hour and walk 4 km an hour on average, with breaks now and then to admire the landscape and have drinks/food. You should be fit for it and used to hiking and cycling.
• It is possible to take your bike in the train, a ticket (fietskaart dal, price Euro 7,50) is needed. See: https://www.ns.nl/en/travel-information/bikes-on-the-train.html
• You might also hire a bicycle in a bike shop nearby, or an OV bicycle for Euro 4,50:
  https://www.ns.nl/en/customer-service/ov-fiets
• The ending time is approximate and depends on the speed of the group and the breaks we make.
• Bring sufficient water, snacks and lunch, although we might stop at a restaurant.
• I advise to wear comfortable hiking gear with layers and a rain coat just in case...
• Carpe Diem is an amateur activity group, participating is at your own risk.
• The event might be cancelled or postponed in case of extreme bad weather or few people signed up. Check messages for last-minute updates the evening before.
• Please only sign up if you are attending to join. And change your RSVP if something unexpected occurs. Last-minutes cancellations are not appreciated and NO SHOWS will be recorded! No refund. Thank you.