✈️🪂 Airborne Reconnaissance Trail: Back to History (25 km) 🌿

“If the event is full, please join the waiting list. I will add more spots later depending on demand”

We begin at Ede-Wageningen station, where the Airborne Red Devils will welcome us with live 1940s music. We meet at 08:30, but if you arrive earlier you can already enjoy their performance from 08:00 at the station square.

From there we head into the woods towards the Ginkelse Heide, one of the original landing zones of Operation Market Garden in September 1944. Here thousands of British paratroopers — the “Airborne” troops — jumped in an attempt to secure the bridges across the Rhine. Each year this history is brought to life again with ceremonies, re-enactments, and parachute drops. Between 10:00 and 11:30 we will witness the full morning airshow: hundreds of parachutists descending from the skies and aircraft flying over the heath.

The roads and cycle paths will be crowded, but we have a secret weapon — our feet. We will hike through the quieter forests and continue to the next highlight in Renkum. Here the story continues with the Race to the Bridge which sets off at 14:00, retracing the route of the paratroopers, while the nearby Living History Basecamp offers WWII vehicles, re-enactors, and authentic field camps. With good weather, you may still spot planes and parachutes overhead as the drops continue at the Ginkelse Heide.

In the afternoon we continue towards Wageningen, following the scenic Bergpad mountain trail with its sweeping views across the valley. We end our reconnaissance loop at Wageningen bus station.

📍When and where to meet?
We’ll meet at 08:30 at the top of the right-hand stairs next to the toilets when you come out of the tunnel of the station towards the plaza, where you can also see the concert. Please be on time—we’ll start sharp!

🏁 Finish
We’ll end the hike back in Wageningen bus station, this is NOT a loop hike.

🚗 Coming by car?
There are several car parks around Ede-Wageningen station, but with such a busy event I can’t recommend any specific one. It’s best to park a little further away and walk to the station. Often I see people arriving by car who end up late and miss the hike—don’t be that person! When we arrive at Wageningen BUS station, you can take a 20 min bus back to Ede-Wageningen TRAIN station.

⏸️ The Plan

🕗 Start: 08:30 at Ede-Wageningen station (arrive earlier if you want to hear the Red Devils from 08:00)
🚶 First leg: 7 km forest walk → arrive Ginkelse Heide at 10:00
🪂 Morning program Airborne Ede: 10:00 –11:30 (1,5 hours free time)
🚶 Second leg: 8 km across heath & forest → Renkum
🪂 Afternoon program Airborne Renkum: 13:30–15:00 (1.5 hours free time, including Race to the Bridge at 14:00 + Living History Basecamp)
🚶 Third leg: 9 km via the Bergpad mountain trail → Wageningen
⏰ Finish: around 17h - 18h at Wageningen bus station

💸 Payment
Please pay as soon as you sign up: To keep things fair for everyone, if we don’t receive your payment within 48 hours, we will need to remove you from the participant list. If there’s a waiting list, this will happen sooner (in less than 48 hours). If that happens, no worries — you’re always welcome to sign up again if there’s space.

🌟 Early Bird Deal! Join now for just €3 — available for 3 days (72h). After that, the price will be €4.
Payment via Tikkie: https://tikkie.me/pay/clsm0tdpm5v8ockdi7n6

👟 Good to know

• Please be aware that it will be very crowded a the events and some parts may be fenced off. Let’s stay flexible as we make our way through the terrain. This is our first Airborne hike in 2025, and we’ll be discovering it together.
• 📱 I will share a special WhatsApp group for this event so we can coordinate during the day
• Refund policy: Cancellations are fully refundable up to 1 week before the event (This is Friday 12 September at 23h59). After this period, the fee becomes non-refundable.
• Hike difficulty: Our hikes are moderately challenging. Please only join if you’re confident you can keep up with the group’s pace (5 km/ h)— it’s more fun for everyone when we can walk together without long waits.
• If the pace is too challenging: We may kindly suggest you continue at your own pace. We’ll give you clear directions to the nearest bus or train so you can return comfortably.
• At your own risk: You participate at your own risk, so please make sure you have appropriate insurance coverage for outdoor activities.
• Payment note: With Tikkie we only see initials (e.g., J. Doe instead of John Doe). Please include your Meetup name in the payment note so we can match it easily.
• Friends joining: If you bring a friend, make sure they also register and pay.
• What to bring: Snacks, lunch, and 1–2 liters of water (depending on the hike distance). There will be plenty of food and drinks available at the event, but it’s always good to have something with you.
• Stay connected: Join our WhatsApp group to be the first to hear about future hikes — ask for the QR code during the hike.
• 🌱 T-shirts: Fairwear-certified organic cotton, eco-friendly inks — €25. Sustainable, odor-resistant, and perfect for hiking. Let us know your size and we’ll bring one for you.